Western Bulldogs call for more AFLW games at Marvel Stadium to better showcase skills of players
The double-header at Marvel Stadium produced one of the best games in AFLW history and Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves and defender Hannah Scott say more games need to be played at the venue as it allows players to better show off their skills.
AFLW
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Western Bulldogs leader Hannah Scott has called for more AFLW games to be played at Marvel Stadium after a one-point thriller on Saturday night.
The Demons and the Bulldogs produced one of the best AFLW matches in history and Scott said the conditions under the roof allowed the players to showcase their skills.
Dogs coach Paul Groves said there was potential for the league to fixture triple-headers at the venue.
THRILLER: CUNNINGHAM STUNNER KEEPS DEES’ FINALS HOPES ALIVE
REPORT: NORTH SET UP BLOCKBUSTER AND KEEP PIES WINLESS
“It’s really difficult in some of the conditions that you play with — the wind and all of that — you have to adapt quite a lot to it so not having to compete against that I think allows a higher quality game of football, which is also a lot nicer to watch,” Scott said.
Groves said the double-header at the stadium on Saturday was a positive step.
“Playing out here enables the conditions not to impact the game at all; I think that’s really important for where women’s footy's’s at,” Groves said.
“ … if you go to Whitten Oval there’s always a breeze, we have a great atmosphere and it probably can’t have the same atmosphere here, unless you get 40,000 to it, but it allows the girls to showcase their skills taking out the elements and that is a positive.
TOO GOOD: DEJA VU AS DOCKERS SPOIL CATS’ PARTY
“ … I know we enjoyed playing here and can you do triple headers here? Potentially, so it’s probably something we can discuss as a code and if that becomes available then we’ll certainly jump at the chance.”
Scott, who works full- time and on Friday clocked on at 6am before training at 4pm, said the busy lifestyle of AFLW players was affecting their on-field performance.
Players are currently paid between $13,400 and $24,600 for a six-month contract.
“It’s hard, it’s hard at times, but you love the game and just do what you’ve got to do,” Scott said.
“I think it’s definitely had an impact because it gets to the end of the week and I’m pretty exhausted.
“Sometimes we’ll get home from training and it’ll be 10.30pm at night and then I’ve got to get up at 5-6 o’clock.
“It’s tough, but I love the game and I love the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
“I just want to play footy and if this is what I have to do, then, that’s what we’ll all do.
“I’ve got to pay the bills (so) at the moment it’s full-time work and footy, that’s just how it is.
“Obviously you look forward and you hope it’s not that far away, but obviously that comes with longer seasons and at the moment they look like they’re keeping it split so we just have to roll with it and just do our best to adapt.”