Revolution, evolution, call it what you will, it’s exciting, writes Mark Robinson

SOME don’t really care that dreams are being realised with the formation of the AFLW League. To that minority, apply your negativity elsewhere, writes Mark Robinson.

REVOLUTION ... maybe.

Evolution ... naturally.

A wonderful opportunity for thousands of women and young girls to play the game they love ... absolutely.

There was a photograph taken at training recently — I think it was at the Bulldogs — and there was a young girl, maybe seven years old, getting an autograph and the magic in her eyes and beaming smile was very real.

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This young girl was meeting her hero, her idol, and that’s what women’s football has already captured and cultivated.

The young girl doesn’t know that 20 years ago, girls aged 13 were told they couldn’t play competitive footy any more, when footy had a type of sporting segregation.

And now? If you want to and you’re good enough, you can play in a national competition.

How can you not be intrigued and a little excited about the launch of the AFL Women’s footy?

Danielle Hardiman escapes Sarah Lampard during an AFLW practice match. Picture: David Crosling

There is a horde of grouchy men and some women — stubborn old ones and dismissive young ones — who don’t really care that dreams are being realised.

To you guys, apply your negativity to something else. You’re not welcome.

The rest of us are galvanised by the AFL’s decision to open its doors to a whole group of people — people who love playing the sport as much as the men.

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Really, if football makes a whole bunch of people happy and competitive and there’s a surge in self discovery and development in a team environment, then why should there be a level of disdain?

A Twitter poll on Monday had close to 5500 responses to the question: How interested are you in women’s football.

How interested are you in women's football?

— Mark Robinson (@Robbo_heraldsun) January 30, 2017

Thankfully, it was mostly in the positive.

I liked Grant Thomas’ thoughts on women’s footy. Thommo, a former AFL coach, can be grouchy with the best of them but his offering was spot on.

“Watch out how entertaining Women’s League will be,” he wrote. “Utterly uninhibited. Devoid of debilitating tactics & strategy. No coaching suppression.”

Of course, people will soon realise women’s footy is not the same sport as men’s footy.

Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs clash in an AFLW warm-up game. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

We know the women won’t be as good as the men. We know the skills are a work in progress. We know horrendous errors will be made.

But we also know the women will attack the opposition player and contest with every bit of passion and desire as the men.

Yes, some teams will fall away in performance because the talent pool needs to grow.

But just you wait as more and more girls turn to footy. They will be given first-class training facilities, more skills sessions and greater professionalism for sharper development.

Already there are names well-known such as Daisy Pearce, Katie Brennan (the new KB), Moana Hope, Chelsea Randall, Tayla Harris, Sabrina Frederick-Traub, Lauren Arnell, Brianna Davey and Mel Hickey.

Adelaide captain Erin Phillips has a rich history in basketball. Picture: Mark Brake

Across the South Australian border, Erin Phillips is one of the stories of the league. She’s an Opal, a WNBA star — it’s like getting Andrew Bogut back to play AFL.

If you don’t know their names now, you soon will. And more names will join the list this year. And next year and for years after that.

The competition of eight teams — Collingwood, Carlton, Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide — starts on Friday night with the historic match between the Pies and the Blues.

A crowd of 10,000-plus is expected.

It will be the first step for women’s footy on the national stage and, in all probability, in 20 years’ time we’ll probably look back at these humble beginnings and marvel at the advancements made.

Still, it is a beginning.

And that itself makes it exciting.

I’ll see you there on Friday.