Two weeks ago the Adelaide Crows were crowned AFLW Premiers for 2019, defeating Carlton 10.3 (63) to 2.6 (18).
There were many talking points from the game including the injury sustained by Crows co-captain Erin Phillips which saw her stretchered from the field in the third quarter, but there was no bigger talking point than the crowd.
In total, 53,034 supporters came together to watch that game, which is a tremendous example of the strength of the AFLW community and the passion that people have for women’s sport. It was a magnificent sight to see.
Given the joy surrounding the finale of the competition, it’s been challenging to watch some of the negative commentary this week during trade week, particularly about now former Western Bulldogs player Katie Brennan.
In 2020, the AFLW competition will expand to include an additional four teams; the Gold Coast, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast. With the addition of these four teams there was bound to be some player movement from the existing clubs to the new clubs.
I have a feeling the movement has only just started.
Katie Brennan of the Bulldogs leads her team out onto the field during the round seven AFLW match between the Western Bulldogs and the Melbourne Demons at Whitten Oval on March 17, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
This is positive. An important part of ensuring that women’s sport continues to grow is that the games are exciting to watch and that there is a level of comparable talent across all the clubs.
If the new clubs were forced to start from scratch, potentially they would have trouble competing against the established clubs who have squads that have had the benefit of playing together much longer. By spreading the talent, I’m more confident in the quality of the games we will see next year.
But not everyone has seen it that way and social media certainly weighed in when it was announced that Katie, who captained the Bulldogs in season one and two and co-captained them with Ellie Blackburn this year, would join the Tigers on a two-year deal starting next year.
Some came out and accused Katie of chasing the money.
This is laughable and is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the AFLW works. In 2018, AFLW total player payments increased from $2,275,000 in 2017 to $2,752,000. This excludes ambassador contracts and rookie upgrades.
But the players all essentially earn the same amounts, with players being split into three tiers. Tier 1 players are paid $20,000, tier 2 players are paid $14,500 and rookie list players $8,500. Clubs can also spend up to up to $40,000 on two or more ambassador contracts worth between $5,000 and $10,000.
Brooke Lochland (L) and Katie Brennan of the Bulldogs celebrate a goal during the round one AFLW match between the Western Bulldogs and the Fremantle Dockers at Whitten Oval on February 4, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
What this means is that it is extremely unlikely that Katie made a decision to go to Richmond based on money, given that players are on similar rates of pay and given that I don’t think Katie’s tier will have changed during her switch.
And even if she did go for the money, so what? In a competition where women are still juggling work, families and other commitments with their football commitments, every dollar counts.
We have seen women make tremendous sacrifices to participate in this competition – some moving states and some using up all their leave to take time off work to be able to compete. Not to mention the sacrifices made by many of these trailblazing women who remained committed to footy back in the days when AFLW did not exist.
It’s this tremendous sacrifice which makes it hard for me to understand why others would question Katie’s loyalty and suggest that she has stabbed the Bulldogs in the back with this decision.
I understand that Katie has had some challenges during her AFLW career and that the Bulldogs have stood by her. Katie sat out the inaugural season with an ankle injury and was unable to play in the grand final.
This is a woman who has sacrificed plenty to play for the Bulldogs and played with her whole heart. We should be thankful for this contribution instead of begrudging her decision.
We have no idea why Katie has made this decision. Perhaps where Richmond train will be closer to her work or to her home, easing some of the demands which time places on these players.
Perhaps she did just want a fresh start. But to assume the worst of Katie because she has made a decision in her best interests is unfair.
As human beings, many of us take for granted the opportunity to change jobs and move from organisation to organisation.
I understand that because our sports stars represent clubs we love, it can be very hard to see them go. But athletes have the same right to make choices that are best for them as we do.
So for now, we should all thank Katie for her efforts at the Bulldogs, wish her all the best for her new adventure at the Tigers and recognise her tremendous contribution to the AFLW.
Someone
Roar Rookie
What is the AFLM? It's the AFL.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Bri Davey captains Carlton to a Grand Final and the day after she shares the B&F wants a trade to the wooden spooners Collingwood. Not much loyalty there.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Since when did loyalty become a dirty word in sport? Isn’t it a two-way street? Players equally rely on their supporters’ loyalty, particularly when the chips are down and we keep showing up week in and week out. There’s a reason ‘fair weather supporter’ has negative connotations. However, it’s still fine with me if loyalty isn’t enough to keep a player at a club because there are better opportunities out there for them. As it is also fine if it stings a bit to see them go. I think Hooker’s signing to the Eagles must be incredibly exciting for her and could potentially lead to a captaincy role, which perhaps has been out of her reach at the Dockers. Doesn’t mean that I’m not disappointed to lose her, and I think that’s a pretty normal reaction. On one hand we have punters saying we shouldn’t want loyalty from our players, and on the other hand, we have the Dockers’ leadership group (off the back of their re-signing) talking proudly about being one-team players, wanting to stick together and be in it for the long haul. Even Bowers said she jumped at the chance to re-sign with the Dockers so she could demonstrate her loyalty to a club that has been so loyal to her. I think it’s impractical to expect complete and utter loyalty from players to one club, but I also think it’s impractical to expect supporters not to care about loyalty from their players.
Rick
Guest
Nothing I've read or seen or heard is complaining about Brennans move, Mary is making an issue out of a non event so she can again be offended, it must be a shallow existence to have your life ruled by social media.
Daz
Roar Pro
No different to Tayla Harris moving from Brisbane to Carlton, or Moana Hope moving from Collingwood to North. No different to Buddy moving to Sydney, Dangerfield moving to Geelong, Lynch moving to Richmond and countless other men trading clubs each year - even the big name ones.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
That's a pretty good argument, but at the end of the day, it was good having her at the club for our first three years, I think she's a terrific footballer, and I wish her all the best for the future.
Tazzie
Guest
Thought she owed the Dogs another season after being totally supported during her interrupted career with injuries and as a club captain, her life, her decision, so good luck at the Tigers.
IAP
Guest
Mary is in full woke mode today...
IAP
Guest
No need for the "M". Everyone knows what the AFL is.
TomC
Roar Guru
Not every silly thing said on social media requires a full blown article written rebutting it. An alternative subject for an article would be how AFLW marquee players like Brennan have become popular enough to be marketing weapons; Richmond made a big deal out of her signing. This can only be good for improving player salaries.
mds1970
Roar Guru
The players are earning peanuts for a 7-week season with one-year contracts. Of course they're going to go where they can maximise their off-field opportunities. Once the players' salaries and the number of games they play increase, you would expect the player movement to settle down to AFLM levels.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Better strip better song bigger ego fans Go tiges!
Eden
Guest
What Shane said. And as long as it's paid like a (very) part time job, pretty much any fan expectation of players (other than that they show up to practices and play games) is unreasonable. The fact that players are so generous with their time and efforts is a bonus.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Sabrina Frederick-Traub announced she wanted out of the Lions too. Most people reckoned she'd already checked out 12 months ago based on her performance this season. What you'll find is that the same people who are just itching for an excuse, any excuse to criticise women's footy will latch onto disloyalty, whilst ignoring the fact that loads of men walk out on their football clubs every year as well. But there will be criticism regardless, and I don't think that in itself is a bad thing - at least it means people are passionate about their club. I'd prefer criticism over total indifference myself.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
North dumped Moana Hope while Stanton and Drennan have left for other clubs.
Shane
Guest
Oh, bugger off. The league is expanding, and player movements will be volatile. Captains can do whatever they like, they have already stepped up for the club - the club and supporters should be thanking her for her service. Get so sick of entitled fans putting their own weird personal restrictions on what someone else can or cannot do.
Slane
Guest
The Bulldogs have lost 2 captains in the last 4 years. Something wrong down at Witten Oval?
Michael Kerwin
Roar Rookie
Captains shouldn’t leave their clubs. See: Tom Lynch. AFLW players may be loyal as a whole but Katie Brennan is not.