Compressed AFLW fixture to put league under ‘pressure’: Clubs concerned as AFL moves goalposts as footy set for Punt Rd return
The AFLW fixture is set to be released this week, with clubs expected to play 11 games across 10 weeks. As LAUREN WOOD reports, clubs are concerned it will make it impossible to hit metrics the AFL has put in place to measure growth.
AFL
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AFL Women’s football will return to Punt Road Oval this season with the competition’s season nine fixture to be confirmed as soon as this Friday.
Clubs are bracing for a games squeeze in the fixture announcement that as of Tuesday had been slated for this Friday, with the competition’s 11 games to be compressed into 10 weeks.
The middle portion of the fixture is set to see teams play four games within three weeks, with midweek timeslots including at least one Tuesday game in Frankston set to form a school holidays-focused fixture block.
The compression has raised eyebrows at some clubs.
“It’s just the pressure of it,” one club official told this masthead on Tuesday.
“It’s not just about the players, but the staff too. And fans.”
Players received a significant pay boost under the new collective bargaining agreement that was signed at the end of last year, with contracts now 12 months for the first time, meaning many have been able to forego external employment to focus on football and make midweek games more manageable.
The league has previously stated that the competition’s number of games will only grow if the current number of games reach certain “metrics” including attendance and broadcast numbers.
“It’s going to be harder than ever to hit those in the compressed portion of the fixture, even with it being in school holidays,” another club figure said.
It is understood that the league has again shunned fixturing games at stadiums like Marvel Stadium in favour of smaller grounds such as Ikon Park, Henson Park in Sydney and RSEA Park at Moorabbin.
This masthead understands that the Tigers are set to host at least two games at the historic Richmond ground in the final few weeks of the 11-game season, after shifting home games to Ikon Park last year due to the more-than-$100 million redevelopment of Punt Rd.
Capacity at the ground had been limited due to construction works.
The ground’s redevelopment is set to include significant upgrades to women’s team facilities as part of its high performance centre.
Richmond is also set to travel to Darwin to play Essendon in the third instalment of the AFLW Dreamtime game, which will be staged outside of Victoria for the first time, while the grand final eve public holiday is also set to house a number of games in Melbourne across the day and evening.
This masthead revealed earlier this month that two-year contracts for AFLW draftees were among a raft of considerations as the league plots a path to a national draft.
AFL head of football performance, list management and engagement Ned Guy said last week that an open-market salary cap model was also being considered over the current tiered player payments system.
Players have also indicated they would be in favour of free agency in years to come.
The AFLW pre-season is set to begin next week.
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