North Melbourne and Geelong set to join AFL Womens in 2019, further expansion in 2020

THE AFL has confirmed North Melbourne and Geelong will join an expanded AFL Women’s in 2019 with four more teams entering in 2020. SEE WHO MADE IT

Geelong VFLW footballers (from left) Anna Teague, Maddie Boyd, Lily Mithen and Renee Garing. Picture: Peter Ristevski

TAKING the fledgling AFLW to regional centres, and Tasmania, were key elements in Geelong and North Melbourne gaining licenses to expand the competition to 10 teams in 2019.

Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast, which were also provisional license holders and bid to join, will enter the AFLW the following season in 2020 along with Gold Coast.

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In confirming the new teams AFL chief executive Gillon McLaclan conceded that growing from nothing to a 14-team competition in just four seasons was “risky”.

But the AFL boss believes the passion and professionalism of the clubs given AFLW licenses will ensure the competition continues to go from strength to strength.

Geelong’s VFLW team in action. Picture: Arj Giese

“There is risk in all of this,” McLachlan said.

“I know many of the clubs thought we should have gone wider in 2019, but we are optimistic that with an eye to the talent coming through ... there will be enough talent to accommodate extra teams.

“And it gives those clubs time to build commercial partnerships and a sustainable financial model by 2020 ... time to get organised.

“The responsibility of every club granted a license in 2019 and 2020 is that they work

with the AFL to ensure that participation turns into talent, and that passion turns into

fans, membership and partnerships.”

Kate Sheahan was appointed as Richmond's women's football operation manager. Picture: Ian Currie

North Melbourne is expected to form a partnership with the Tasmanian government to play games on the Apple Isle from 2019 and McLachlan said Geelong’s regional reach got them over the line ahead of the other bidders.

“Both of their submissions were outstanding. They have a VFLW team and a pathway through the club. They had a very clear plan and a lot of things bolted down.,” McLachlan said.

“I think the real clincher was that they have regional presence.

“North Melbourne will announce a partnership with the Tamsnian government, and build on the academy they have there, which is a real win for football in Tasmania.

“And clearly Geelong represents a huge region of participation for us.”

We'll have six new teams by 2020! #AFLW pic.twitter.com/0kZL8XvWiM

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) September 27, 2017

Our time has arrived! A new era has begun at Arden St with North Melbourne granted an @aflwomens licence #BeAShinboner pic.twitter.com/TVvZWUgYnG

— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) September 27, 2017

North chief executive Carl Dilena said the announcement was a “landmark day” for the club which will also boast a standlone reserves team in the VFL from next season.

“We left no stone unturned in our quest to convince the decision makers at the AFL that we were not only ready for an AFLW team, but most deserving of one,” Dilena said.

Essendon, Hawthorn, Sydney and Port Adelaide remain the only clubs without AFL licences but McLachlan said they could enter as early as 2021.

The AFL is also in the process of recruiting a new Head of Women’s Football to work on things including draft concessions for the new clubs, expanded fixtures and other matters intrinsic to the competition’s ongoing success.