In 2017 when it was announced by the AFL that the Richmond Tigers would be granted an AFLW licence to enter the competition in 2020, CEO Brendon Gale said the following:
“It is fantastic news for the club, our members and supporters and all our stakeholders. We were disappointed that we were not part of the inaugural AFLW season, but we have continued to work hard to promote female football and support participation pathways.”
However, with the announcement by Richmond on Monday that they will not be fielding a VFL team in 2021, this statement by Gale seems nothing more than a lie.
Despite rumours circulating last week that Richmond had made this decision, it took until Monday for Richmond to release a brief statement making the announcement and then “reassuring” fans that Richmond will “focus [its] resources and energies on delivering a high-quality AFLW program in 2021 and beyond.”
But how are Richmond going to deliver this high-quality program without a VFL team?
Let’s be real. Richmond underperformed in the AFLW this year. There was widespread shock among fans when the team finished last in Conference A.
How will Richmond improve performance without a VFL team, especially when moves are being made by the AFL to align the VFL season with the AFLW season, partly to create a functioning pathway?
Richmond’s solution may be to partner with another VFL club for the season.
Perhaps change the word ‘partner’ with to ‘use’. What this says to me is that Richmond would prefer a community club do the work and pay for the work that they should be doing themselves.
It’s even more damning when you consider that in 2018, the VFL season was reduced to 12 teams after Diamond Creed, the Eastern Devils and St Kilda Sharks opted out of playing because the costs of competing in the competition were too high, largely because of the desire to “professionalise” the competition.
Costs became too high and AFLW teams like Richmond grabbed licenses and claimed that they had a deep commitment to women’s footy.
You know who had a deep commitment to women’s footy – those clubs that created a sense of community around women’s football. And this was all destroyed in one foul sweep. These clubs ran on a community with many women running trivia nights and sausage sizzles just to keep the clubs alive.
Good to know that Richmond is willing to take advantage of this work while boasting about its 100,000 members.
Speaking of those members, what about the members of its women’s team? Where is the money these members have contributed going? Because it doesn’t seem to be going to women’s footy. Interestingly, Richmond also have one of the most expensive AFLW memberships going around.
Don’t get me wrong. The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt by every single sport. We have seen people lose their jobs, their livelihoods, programs cut and tough decisions made about sport.
But it makes my blood boil that Richmond would use this pandemic as an excuse to make such a fundamental cut to its football department.
Richmond is known as one of the richer AFL clubs. In fact, the club posted a tweet this week celebrating its 100,000 members.
The club had no problem flying Tom Lynch into the Gold Coast so he could be in the hub prior to curfew.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
I wonder what costs more? The investment made into the AFL hub or the cost of a team competing in the VFL?
If I were a member, I know how I would prefer my money to be spent.
It also baffles me that Richmond have made this decision now. Given global uncertainty, we have no idea what the world will look like and whether footy will even take place next year. No other club has signalled an intention to cut their VFL team, which speaks volumes, given that some of the other AFL clubs are not in as a financially strong position as Richmond.
Make no mistake – this is a cut to the football department and it makes a clear statement. Women’s footy is expendable and men’s football is not.
Richmond cried the loudest when they were unable to participate in the inaugural AFLW season. We have a huge fan-base, they said. We are invested in women’s footy, they said.
This decision is an absolute slap in the face to every single person who has supported women’s footy, paid money to support women’s footy and believed that Richmond backed it too.
But mostly, I feel for the players, who once again have to stand behind their male counterparts waiting to be seen, heard and given the proper opportunities to thrive in women’s football.
The AFL are bold enough to claim that they have led the revolution in women’s sport, but when clubs behave as Richmond has in this circumstance, how true is that bold, bold claim?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I only today saw fit to give this any attention because, like everyone else, I am a bit interested in the various sports surviving the extraordinary circumstances prevailing. State governments and the several major sports leaderships have co-operated to do all they can for that important objective to be pursued, special arrangements have been agreed and health management concessions made. The AFL is central to the survival of Australian Rules and it has used the correct focus on its most prominent, most productive and most profitable element. Its other activities are nice and fluffy and lovely, but subordinate - way less important, and the administration would be irresponsible in the extreme to waste any time or money on them now. I would hope the clubs use their best efforts to help the next most important people they have through this period - the home ground toilet attendants and cleaning staff who have no income at all for the year.
Rob
Guest
It's called success... if love my club to be as hated as others!
DarwinDee
Guest
I recently found out it was a shock to a lot of people that that awesome player from the big smoke ripping it up for their local country club was being paid... not driving a 600km return trip every Saturday because the just love, oh let's say Katanning.w
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Great article with some great research which has revealed some fairly unflattering information about RFC which I had no idea about. Every right and reason to be furious. Women's footy is more than just a growth area, it is the league and society's chance to offer something meaningful when discussing gender equality. Why should someone who loves playing footy be denied an opportunity just because of their gender? And for everyone who bleats about the skills, these are seim-professional athletes who society discouraged from playing the game or developing skills. If you have forgotton what semi-professional footy looks like, check some 70's or 80's games - not the incredible highlights we've all seen, but just some regular Saturday afternoon footy between two normal teams. Skill levels definitely comparable to the women's game now. Decent pay and conditions, as well as a viable pathway, will no doubt lead to a fast, skillful and professional game. Pity Richmond don't look like they'll be part of it. I only hope Essendon pick up the available licence space and commit to a women's team in a meaningful and ongoing manner.
Gold Coast Tiger
Guest
It's very simple mathematics Mary. If the the finances aren't there to support it, then something has to give. The Tigers are not being sexist!!!
Tom Hunt
Guest
I think the words you are looking for are "fell swoop"
Paul D
Roar Rookie
The difference between us is that you're focused on the 1 or 2% who already play the game, I'm looking at the 98% of people who have nothing to do with the game and wondeirng why the game doesn't do more to try and win a few of them over.
Kelly watts
Guest
Another salty richmond article with a grievances of a personal kind aka womens vfl. I suggest you accept the fact that the boys are bringing in the bucks for a reason, they are about 100 yrs ahead in the mens league and that is just a fact. Womens footy is just beginning so dont turn everyone off so soon with your vflw rants its hard enough for clubs at the moment tbh
Flagpies
Roar Rookie
Personlly I'd like to see the tiges cut their AFL program and focus on their AFLW and VFLW programs. Good article!
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
We all would.
Maximus Insights
Guest
In Victoria, that would overwhelmingly just be the clubs in the VAFA. The teams at the bottom divisions of the suburban leagues and the weaker country leagues I am aware of all pay players. Your rants have some quality rhetoric but they are pretty low on evidence. All the noise coming out of the AFL has been to cut money out of the administration (including duplication between the 4 eastern states and the territories that sit under the AFL....football in WA and SA are still run by the WAFC and SANFL), and football departments of AFL clubs. The AFL is comfortably the best football code at supporting and protecting the grass roots. It's cuts announcement the other day included to: "Integrate the AFL and AFL State Entities with a strong focus on nationally co-ordinated programs and local delivery with a clear mandate on continuing to invest in community football and grow participation in all States."
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Wrong on all counts I’m talking about clubs that don’t have a wage bill because they’re entirely run by volunteers for absolute amateur footballers. Grassroots.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Says the guy who calls someone a banana head. Have great afternoon Dave
Dave
Roar Rookie
See also my previous post mate! If you could actually post something intelligent, I’d be left somewhat amazed!
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Take it like a man! You bang on about every Richmond article. You kinda seem like a sooky lala
JAMES G HASLAM
Guest
Mary does not seem to understand the basics. The AFL money funds grassroots, women's footy, state leagues, community footy. Other codes complain about the AFL spending all this money that they can't. But the AFL has to get the money first to be able to spend it. And they have to balance competing interests. I'm sure they make mistakes, but I think they are doing a bloody good job.
Dave
Roar Rookie
How is the Richmond FC, using the COVID pandemic as an excuse? Unfortunately the reality is that harsh calls and staff cuts have had to be made by several afl clubs to date, not just Richmond!
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Cheer up Dave
Dave
Roar Rookie
2dogs....how about you write something even remotely intelligent, yeah???
Dave
Roar Rookie
Spot on Marty, couldn’t have said it any better myself. As harsh as it may sound as well, afl football clubs are as to put it bluntly, a business or undertaking that relies mostly upon consistent cash flow in order to achieve sustained success for the football club in it’s entirety!