Carlton’s Darcy Vescio says AFLW must capitalise on Matildas’ momentum

As the Matildas capture the hearts and minds of the nation, Carlton AFLW star Darcy Vescio says footy has the chance to capitalise on their raging success ahead of the upcoming season.

AFL Women’s star Darcy Vescio has rallied the league to capitalise on the momentum of the Matildas’ rampant Women’s World Cup campaign as the ultimate runway into the upcoming AFLW season.

And they said the league could take cues from the evident benefits of investment and continued growth of the sport.

The Matildas’ match against Denmark on Monday night set a record for the largest television audience for the year for Channel 7, with more than 6.54 million people watching the game via free-to-air and streaming platforms.

The AFL remains locked in negotiations on a new pay deal but recently reached an agreement for a 10-game season — the same amount of home and away games as last season despite a push from players to commit to at least 12.

Darcy Vescio is one of the longest-serving AFL Women’s players. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s like, this is what happens when you just be bold,” Vescio said of the Matildas example.

“I feel like we often take a conservative route for most things, because you’re not sure. But it’s never like, ‘well, what could it be? What would happen if we did do this?’.

“Maybe something would decrease in the short term but in the long-term, it would let things accelerate so much faster.

“I know the decisions aren’t simple, and as a player in the system you always want to be pushing and trying to make it better. But I feel like it’s a great opportunity. It’s in front of them right now. You’re getting a real-time example. You can see the hype. You can feel it. You can smell it. This is the time.”

Vescio, who has played every season of AFLW since it began in 2017, said they believed the game had the opportunity to ride the wave of the Matilda’s success.

“I think it’s a perfect opportunity to get more women, girls and gender-diverse people in sport,” they said.

“We’re seeing before our eyes the power of putting something in front of people and getting people excited to go to something.

“People booked months in advance to get to the games. That just creates hype. I really love all the promotion behind the Matildas. Every single one of them is a superhero on a billboard.”

We have a sneaking suspicion that @carltonfc_w star Darcy Vescio is a huge Matildas fan...@7AFL#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/pI6qVMuTel

— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 9, 2023

The AFL is set to unleash a new marketing campaign for AFLW with the season to begin on September 1, with Vescio saying it should be inspired by the last three weeks and what could potentially be to come from Australia’s national team.

“I’ve been to three games and it’s been amazing seeing the environment and seeing what could be for us. I know that it’s global, but if we do it in the right way, there’s no reason why we can’t build those sorts of crowds and momentum and excitement around every team,” they said.

“It’s been really inspiring for all of us AFLW players to see what they’re doing, and I think we all rise together when any sport is doing well. I know sometimes people think sports can take away from each other, but I certainly don’t see it that way.”