AFL 2022: Latest news from league headquarters on AFL and AFLW seasons

The Bulldogs have lost a key figure and the only woman in the AFL Football Hall of Fame to league headquarters.

Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard pushed hard for the Hawks-Bombers clash to be moved. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Western Bulldogs head of women’s football and AFL Hall of Fame member Debbie Lee has departed the club on the eve of the season for a job at league headquarters.

As the Dogs count down to the seventh AFL Women’s season starting in less than a fortnight, Lee has been appointed as the league’s National Women and Girls Action Plan lead and will endeavour to attract and retain women and girls across every level of football.

“It was a privilege to work at the Western Bulldogs, a pioneering, progressive club which is genuine in its commitment to women’s football,” she said on Monday.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to work with so many amazing people … it’s been a wonderful experience for me.

“The 2018 premiership was a highlight, along with observing the growth of our playing group. They are a terrific group of women, who bring a unique energy to the club.

“I’ll miss being around the place, but under the guidance of (coach Nathan Burke), the coaches and the fantastic support staff, I see a great future for the AFLW team.

“I wish the entire club the very best and look forward to supporting the Dogs on the sidelines.”

Lee — a triple VFLW premiership player — last year became the first woman to be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

The women’s football pioneer has been a driving force for female participation and development of the game, with her new role to focus on increasing opportunities for women and girls in playing, coaching, umpiring and administration.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Debbie Lee will lead the league’s National Women and Girls Action Plan. Picture: Rebecca Michael.

“I am passionate about the advancement of women and girls in football at all levels of the game,” Lee said.

“Through the Women’s Football Vision, along with the $5 million investment commitment to deliver on the action plan from 2023 to 2025, we as a code have an incredible opportunity to drive significant change over the course of this decade and beyond.”

Her replacement at the Bulldogs is yet to be announced.

“Deb has achieved everything in the game, and she had made an indelible impact on the players, staff and the whole organisation with her continual commitment to the advancement of female football,” Bulldogs head of football Chris Grant said.

“We are grateful for her outstanding contribution to the Bulldogs, and we are pleased to see her continue her influence on a national level through a role with the AFL. We wish her well for the future.”

Bombers, Hawks to make history after huge AFLW move

People power has spoken, with Essendon and Hawthorn’s inaugural AFL Women’s clash officially moved to Marvel Stadium.

After tickets for the expansion sides’ round 1 meeting at Port Melbourne’s ETU Stadium sensationally sold out within 24 hours, the AFL has uprooted the game to its Docklands showpiece to potentially allow up to tens of thousands more people to attend.

“Quite simply, the fans of both clubs, and supporters of women’s footy in general, showed why we needed to move to a bigger venue by selling out the game so quickly,” AFL clubs and broadcasting boss Travis Auld said on Sunday.

“Two proud clubs, a historic occasion for them and another historic moment for the AFLW competition.”

Both the Bombers and Hawthorn had firmly backed a push to see the game – set for 7.10pm on August 27 – moved to Marvel Stadium after Hawks senior coach Bec Goddard expressed her desire to see the first-ever game for both of the teams at the stadium, under lights in a prime-time broadcast slot.

Players also backed the movement, with Bombers star Bonnie Toogood telling the Herald Sun it would “be a really amazing moment” not only for the two teams but for women’s football.

No men’s games are scheduled for the weekend AFLW kicks off, with Carlton and Collingwood opening the season on August 25.

Essendon will make its AFLW debut at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

ETU Stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people – for which ticket sales reached within just one day – and would require further infrastructure to be brought in to accommodate a big game.

Marvel Stadium can account for more than 50,000 patrons.

Tickets that have already been purchased will be honoured at the ground, with remaining tickets for the game going on sale at 12pm on Monday.

All AFLW games are priced at $10 for adults with entry free for supporters under the age of 18.

The league’s AFLW chief Nicole Livingstone said to have the stadium packed out “is the stuff dreams are made of” as the competition prepares to welcome all 18 teams for the first time.

“The league is whole,” she said.

“Matches are being played in front of thousands of fans and girls across the country are aspiring to be elite players when they grow up – we’re in an incredible place coming into our seventh season and I couldn’t be prouder of every single person who got us here,” she said.

“I want to thank every fan who has already bought their tickets to Round 1, be it at Ikon, Marvel, Blundstone Arena, North Sydney Oval – wherever the team you love is playing that weekend, I have no doubt they’ll do you proud. If you haven’t got yours yet, get in quick or risk missing out on being part of history.”

AFL set to ease one strict Covid rule

—Jon Ralph

Covid quarantine rules could be cut from seven to five days in the week after the AFL grand final in a change that would help players in the upcoming AFLW season.

But the league has no plans to follow the Commonwealth Games rules that allowed Aussie cricketer Tahlia McGrath win a gold medal while Covid-positive.

McGrath was allowed to play under more relaxed British regulations that do not include any quarantine even after McGrath reported mild symptoms and then returned a positive game-day test.

She was separated from teammates while waiting to bat as she wore a mask and when she took a catch during India’s innings warned her teammates to stay away from her.

But the AFL closely follows respective state government guidelines on Covid and will not get ahead of those regulations.

An AFL spokesman said the league continues to be led by respective state governments on Covid policy that requires a Covid-positive person to quarantine for seven days.

On June 18 after a meeting of state premiers it was decided the quarantine rules could only be reviewed at the end of September when the winter surge was complete.

Even then the rules would only be tightened to five days of quarantine.

It would at least mean AFLW players in a season that starts in two weeks could at some stage in this season test positive and play five days later.

Georgia Patrikios can play for the Saints this season after the AFL eased its Covid vaccination rules. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Victorian premier Dan Andrews said after that national cabinet meeting it was important to protect health workers with seven days of quarantine.

“We will get to that point at some point in the future where we don’t have to isolate. But in the middle of winter, that’s not the right thing to do right now.”

The AFL has dropped vaccine mandates which will allow ex-Carlton defender Liam Jones and St Kilda star Georgia Patrikios to play football again after their separate vaccine hesitancy issues.

The AFL is yet to rule on Jones’ eligibility, but he is expected to be put back onto the Carlton list and then join the Western Bulldogs as a free agent.

His manager Shane Casley told the Herald Sun on Monday that Jones was yet to receive an official update, but was happy to rejoin the Blues if it allowed him to get to his club of choice.

“We are still waiting. There is nothing official. If he goes back onto the Carlton list he becomes a free agency anyway and Carlton would get something for him. We are still talking to clubs. We haven’t committed to anyone yet because we can’t (under AFL rules).”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Latest news from league headquarters on AFL and AFLW seasons