Geelong Cats set to be awarded AFL Women’s expansion licence when AFL makes decision

THE AFL commission is set to make a decision whether the AFL Women’s expands by two or more clubs in 2019 on Tuesday with Geelong a monty to be one of them.

GEELONG appears set to secure one of the AFL Women’s new licences when the AFL Commission formally rules on the expansion teams on Tuesday.

The commission will sit in Geelong next week where it will hear recommendations from AFL executive Andrew Dillon about the makeup of the 2019 season.

The eight foundation clubs will play out season 2018 before the league is expanded by a minimum of two clubs.

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It’s believed the AFL was still formalising its position on the number of teams to enter the competition on Tuesday.

Geelong has built its case on the success of its first-year VFLW program and its links to western Victoria.

West Coast was also considered a front-runner because of the strength of female football in Western Australia and the opportunity for a derby with Fremantle.

Alicia Eva unveils the Big V jumper she’ll wear against Katie Brennan’s Allies in the AFLW State of Origin clash at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, September 2.

North Melbourne has a partnership with VFLW side Melbourne Uni and is developing players in Tasmania.

St Kilda has a large female talent pool in the bayside region, which it is already developing through a masterclass training session each Monday at the club.

Richmond has already appointed Kate Sheahan as its women’s football manager.

All these teams have provisional licences having missed out on the original intake. Essendon, Hawthorn and the Gold Coast do not have provisional licences, but have made strong submissions to join the competition.

Geelong VFL Womens footballers Anna Teague, Maddie Boyd, Lily Mithen and Renee Garing.

The commission will also consider the fixture for next season, with a possible Australia Day start-date mooted.

Pay and conditions will also be discussed, after the players spent more than their contracted nine hours per week at clubs in AFLW01.

The country’s best AFLW players will be on show when Victoria take on the Allies at Etihad Stadium on the Saturday night of the pre-finals bye weekend.

And the Herald Sun can unveil the new-look Big V jumper to be worn by Victorians including Pie turned Giant Alicia Eva (pictured with Western Bulldog Katie Brennan in the Allies strip) and Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce.

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