Melbourne defender Libby Birch says AFLW players must capitalise on new pay conditions or risk being left behind

The AFL’s groundbreaking CBA agreement that delivered major pay rises to AFLW players has changed footballers’ mindset entering the new season.

Melbourne’s AFLW players spoke about committing like never before to win an elusive first premiership or risk being left behind after the league’s landmark pay rise in May.

Libby Birch, one of the Demons’ official leaders with captain Daisy Pearce, vice-captain Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks, is one footballer who benefited considerably from the near-doubling of salaries in the CBA agreement.

More than 40 AFLW players are tipped to earn six-figure sums in the upcoming season, with Tier 1 players’ wage spiking from $37,155 to $71,935, meaning a second job is not as necessary.

Paid contact hours also increased from 15 to 20, which star defender Birch said needed to be capitalised on, ahead of Melbourne’s practice match curtain-raiser at the MCG on Saturday to the men’s game.

“There are a few athletes who are still working because they’re committed to their careers,” Birch said.

“But there is an opportunity this season where the competition has developed in such a way that players have stepped back from work, because we now have the funds to support being more of a full-time athlete.

Libby Birch is excited about the progress the AFL competition is making. Picture: Getty Images

“In some respect, I’d say if you’re not totally doing that, the competition is going to surpass you – and that’s something that we’ve spoken about as a team.

“If we’re not committing to the amount of hours that we’ve now been given, then every other team is going to be doing that. There is an element of understanding that the competition is heading this way.

“It’s not so much being a full-time worker and a full-time athlete anymore. You’ve got to sort of take back your work now and become more of a footballer.”

In Birch’s case, she highlighted that instead of speaking to the media on Monday morning, she would have been at her second job in the past.

She said the life-changing CBA pact, which will be revisited again next year, ended the uncertainty among women’s players as the competition prepares to have 18 clubs for the first time.

Melbourne’s Libby Birch speaks with Magpie Sarah Rowe at the AFL’s celebration of 18 clubs being in the men’s and women’s competitions for the first time. Picture: Mark Stewart

“We got the respect of a pay increase and we understood where the season was heading,” Birch said.

“I think that re-energised us and reinvigorated us. Before that, I’d say that we were all a bit tired and thinking that we’re just going to have to plot through another season the way it was.

“But then to get the respect from the AFL to say, ‘Here, go and play footy’ and be more than just a part-time athlete (was significant). It’s heading towards (us being) a full-time athlete.

“I think that really gave us so much hope and pride and excitement to be like, ‘Hey, this is cool. We’ve got two seasons in one year. Let’s go for it’. The more games that we can play, the better.”

Birch said it had been the most challenging pre-season physically of her career, and not just because of the short turnaround in seasons.

Libby Birch, pictured left with Daisy Pearce, hopes Melbourne can win a premiership for the Demons captain. Picture: Getty Images

Going one-on-one regularly with high-calibre teammates from Tayla Harris to Pearce had battle-hardened them after the disappointment of losing the grand final to Adelaide.

The Crows also ended their season in a preliminary final last year, making them Melbourne’s chief rival in their goal of winning a flag and potentially sending Pearce into retirement on a high.

“There are no words to describe how pumped we are to have ‘Dais’ again and she’s an amazing person, an amazing athlete and I think she leads us in an incredible way,” Birch said.

“There would be nothing more special than winning a premiership for this club, but also for Daisy.

“I know she doesn’t like to talk about it, but it would be pretty amazing to give back something like that to her.”