Now that all the pre-season hype and mass publicity for the second season – be it a whole seven-match program for the AFLW – has subsided, let’s take a good look at where this competition really is at.
Despite a promise that they, the players, are “fitter, faster and stronger” it is obvious that, in the elapsed 12 months, they certainly have not become more skilled.
Basically, nothing has changed from the first season and that is of great concern to their singular financial backer, the AFL. Indeed, of such concern to the AFL that they sent directives to all club franchises and coaches that they were to play a more open, attacking style, in the hope of increasing the attractiveness and scoring in the matches.
Despite this directive, little improvement has been achieved.
Compare and contrast last weekend’s AFLW and AFL matches. In the AFLW Round 5: Melbourne (4.10) defeated Brisbane Lions (4.4), a total of 22 scoring shots, Greater Western Sydney (6.3) defeated Fremantle Dockers (3.3), 15 scoring shots, while Adelaide Crows (8.7) defeated Carlton Blues (2.8), a massive 25 scoring shots!
Meanwhile, in the AFL JLT series, the Western Bulldogs (15.10) defeated Hawthorn (11.12), 48 scoring shots, and Sydney (14.11) defeated Brisbane (5.10), 40 scoring shots.
Chalk and cheese! And this is despite the facts the women have fewer players, on a smaller oval and with a smaller football.
Put bluntly, the reason for this discrepancy is that the AFLW players do not have the football skills to improve the standard of their competition.
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The major contributing factors for this inability to score is a lack of aerobic capacity and body strength, as well as poor kicking and handball disposal skills.
The girls go to ground far too often and seemingly have little ability to control the ball if it is below knee level. These factors result in the development of the ‘pack mentality’, with the ball rarely moving freely and into open space.
They show plenty of courage and commitment to compete against one another, but this doesn’t raise the standard of their performances to an acceptable level.
It is insulting and embarrassing to hear TV commentators talking up the AFLW game as if it is as good and exciting as the AFL. It sure ain’t that!
Despite free entry to matches, attendances are already heading south and will continue to do so until the skill levels dramatically improve.
toastmaster_bl
Guest
Why shouldn't their be?
Dave
Guest
That is a silly comment, woman members and fans contribution etc is towards the running of male AFL games, as is anyones contribution. Trying to assign contribution by gender and then using the arguement that pays for womans AFL is stupid. It is not even a discussion, little own the end of one.
Gerry
Roar Rookie
I am sorry and do not wish to offend but men are men and women are women. I think women playing Netball, soccer, cricket, basketball and rugby 7s and Tennis is brilliant and exciting to watch but not AFL, NRL or Rugby Union. I do not see any future for women’s comps in these sports. That’s just how it is. Nature is a fact and has nothing to do with misogyny. Female biased media is to blame for all this hype. In the same vain nobody is calling for a Wonder Man. Wonder Woman does a perfectly fine job and so do the women of the above mentioned sports. Women do not need the other football comps just to be politically correct it is a waste of time and money. Girls have enough options for the other sports as mentioned as well as swimming, athletics, cycling, hockey, gymnastics, golf, skiing, etc the list goes on. Why do they want to compete in the heavy contact football codes? You are women not inferior just different so just accept it and stick to what you do best. Complain away all the hard nosed feminists but you cannot argue against nature. Enough said.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Ryan Buckland already addressed the author's "facts" below have a read
I ate pies
Guest
It's not sexist if it's true. Facts don't have prejudices.
I ate pies
Guest
I'm just explaining. Explaining isn't whinging, unless the truth hurts, which it does, for you, not me.
Christo
Guest
I read the article. If anyone owes anyone an apology, its The Roar to its female readers/writers, for allowing this rubbish to be posted. The worst line is "The major contributing factors for this inability to score is a lack of aerobic capacity and body strength, as well as poor kicking and handball disposal skills." Basically, women cant play AFL because they're too 'weak' and unskilled...Exactly how isn't that sexist? If you replace the context of that sentence, with an ethnic group or someone's race, would that be acceptable? Of course not. Its 2018. We don't make judgement's on people abilities based on the colour of their skin, or eyes, or hair...or their age, or sex, or sexual preference. It's bad enough people still think this way, let alone for a site like The Roar to reinforce and encourage it.
Tricky
Guest
Going by this post I gather you haven't read the article and just automatically assume that this is purely misogyny. That is very offensive and you should apologise for that.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I like how you insist amateur football counts for something when it suits you, whereas in other places you're insisting that they need to meet some sort of qualitative 'professional' standard that presumably exists only in your own head
Geo
Guest
The ladies who can really play sure make the others look bad. The game would be more credible if they didn't have 20 people in the vicinity of the ball all the time.
I ate pies
Guest
Women didn't start playing footy last year.
I ate pies
Guest
You haven't actually watched much of it, have you?
Cat
Roar Guru
No one is forcing them to play AFLW now ... they are making that choice though. It's almost as if women who enjoy sports may have chosen to play Aussie rules all along if it was an option for them previously.
Ad-0
Guest
It's almost as if girls prefer to play different sports to AFL. But you know we can't have that. Has to be something to do with misogyny and the patriarchy.
Cat
Roar Guru
Inability? Yeah sure you go with that
Martin
Guest
Ben, it would be in the interest of TV networks to downplay the number of viewers from a bargaining point of view, thus so they can buy the rights more cheaply. I wouldn't be surprised if this was happening, I mean who collects the statistics for TV ratings? Is it an independent organisation? Anyway what I'm saying is I think the ratings for AFLW are higher than what's reported.
WesternRoo
Guest
Tried it, didn't like it. Now I ignore it. The same goes for pretty much everyone I know. I honestly couldn't care less if it succeeds or fails. I won't be watching.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Rick, I've got to say, I find this a very puzzling take on the situation. So much so that I got exasperated writing a response and I have chosen not to worry. However, I cannot let some of the "facts" you have bought into the discussion go without mention. It is worth noting: Women's matches are shorter - about 40 minutes, or one almost one third third, shorter than a men's game. Women's matches are played on the same size field as a men's field. AFLW isn't being played on the MCG, but most grounds are in keeping with the size of professional grounds. The men's matches you have picked were the two matches that had the highest number of scoring shots last weekend. The men's matches are pre-season games, not full season games. I appreciate everyone has a right to hold your own opinions. You do not have a right to your own facts.
Steve
Guest
"the pre-season hype and mass publicity" Lol you what mate
Paul D
Roar Guru
Personally I'd argue giving a million bucks to the Papuans has more chance of succeeding than giving a million bucks to St Kilda, but whatever Sick/twisted - your opinion, most people call it corporate welfare Socialism - also your opinion Why would you want clubs to be getting more money? Also, you do realise this million bucks you're now ranting about wasn't actually spent on overseas development, it was a hypothetical from Perry? Now you're getting angry and blaming the AFL for imaginary things they might have done but didn't. Classic. Keep it up