Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves worried about AFLW expansion

Western Bulldogs premiership coach Paul Groves has voiced his concern at the rapid expansion of AFLW, fearing it will be difficult to find 120 elite players to fill out the four new teams set to join the competition next season.

Western Bulldogs premiership coach Paul Groves is worried about the AFLW’s rapid expansion. Picture: Mark Stewart

Western Bulldogs premiership coach Paul Groves has voiced his concern at the rapid expansion of AFLW.

Four new teams will join the burgeoning competition next season, after North Melbourne and Geelong joined the ranks for the 10-team AFLW this year.

But Groves admits he is “completely” anxious as to where another 120 elite players are going to be unearthed.

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Western Bulldogs premiership coach Paul Groves is worried about the AFLW’s rapid expansion. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I am (worried). Completely. We’re allowing more girls to play at the elite level, which is great, but we’re also chasing another 120 in the next 12 months and there’s four teams that need to come in,” he said.

“And look, granted, I understand why they do want to come in, the clubs, because of what the product is and what AFL Women’s is.

“We’ve just got to fast-track them now. That’s our job, that’s the academy’s job, so we’ll get there.”

He said a stripped-back approach and even turning to players unfamiliar with Australian rules could be key to luring enough talent to the game — as the Dogs have done with Gaelic footballer Aisling McCarthy who kicked a goal in her AFLW debut on Saturday night.

“We have to go back a few (steps) — we’ve got the laws of the game (information that we implement) … that’s where we’re at with it, and that’s where the comp’s at with it,” he said.

“We need more girls to play footy, because we’re going to bring in more teams. It’s concerning, but we’re getting there.”

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