AFLW players set to be consulted on plan to start next season in new August timeslot

The AFL is set to push forward with plans for the next AFLW season to start in August, but there is still plenty of work to do.

Lily Mithen and Daisy Pearce’s Demons won’t start their finals campaign until next week. Getty Images

The AFL Commission has given “conditional approval” for the next AFLW season to begin in August as competition bosses prepare to pitch the quick turnaround to players.

Talk of a new start date is dominating AFLW discussion as AFL executive general manager of football operations Andrew Dillon reveals the four expansion clubs have given the green light.

Players have complained about various aspects of the current season structure, including having to compete in the hottest months of the year.

The AFLW’s three-week finals series kicks off on Saturday, meaning two teams face the prospect of playing only four months after ending their season.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, where we have to speak to the AFLPA, the players, the clubs and, in particular, the expansion clubs to make sure that we can get the season away,” Dillon said.

“What we’re hoping with an August start date is that we give the AFLW the best chance to shine in a time frame that’s really good for playing football.

The Dockers are playing North Melbourne in Saturday’s AFLW qualifying final. Picture: Getty Images

“We’ve gone through the competition committee, where the theory of moving to August got 100 per cent (approval) … and now’s the chance to talk to the AFLPA.

“Individual players have been spoken to, but as a whole, that’s what the next couple of weeks is about, to get the feedback from the players and also prospective players and how that might affect young female players.”

Dillon said the draft date and draft age eligibility were among the complications in making such a drastic timing switch at short notice.

But the four incoming clubs – Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney – were “keen to get going as soon as they can”, he said.

Dillon was also confident the round 1 fixture for the men’s competition would not negatively impact the start of the AFLW finals.

Sabrina Frederick’s Collingwood remains in the AFLW premiership hunt. Picture: Getty Images

“The way that the fixtures work, I think we’re going to be OK,” he said.

“We’ve got the six best (AFLW) teams in there. They have separated themselves from the rest of the pack.

“If anyone watched any of the games yesterday, the standard continues to get better literally week by week. So I think that the games can stand on their own and they’ll go well.”

The AFL hopes to attract crowds of 80,000-plus for Wednesday night’s grand final rematch between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs, as well as the Carlton-Richmond clash on Thursday night.

“There’s a pent-up demand and what we’re hoping is that people can get back to doing what they like, which is coming to the MCG,” Dillon said

“It’s going to be amazing weather and, most of all, I think we’re going to see some really good football.”

Originally published as AFLW players set to be consulted on plan to start next season in new August timeslot