The AFL has announced the AFLW competition will expand to 18 teams by the end of 2023.
The league has committed to the expansion by its seventh season, following an AFL Commission meeting on Tuesday. However, the competition will remain at 14 teams for the 2021-22 season.
Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney are the clubs currently without AFLW counterparts. The AFL has invited the four teams to submit proposals on joining the competition in 2022, and will use that process to determine whether they’re added for the 2022-23 or 2023-24 seasons.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the move to 18 teams was only a matter of time.
“We don’t feel the competition is whole without all 18 clubs,” he said.
“We know from the clubs that they don’t feel whole now without an AFLW team. AFLW is not just a competition that makes our game better, but a culture that makes our whole industry better.”
It’s the third round of expansion on the competition since its inception in 2017. Originally beginning as an eight-team league, North Melbourne and Geelong were added for the 2019 season, with Gold Coast, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast joining in 2020.
(Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
McLachlan urged Bombers, Hawks, Power and Swans fans to get behind their new AFLW sides.
“Clubs and their supporters want to be part of the AFLW, and we want another two million supporters to get behind their AFLW teams,” he said.
“We have seen the interest grow as we went from eight teams to 10, and then to 14, and we expect that growth to continue as we move to engage all 18 clubs and their supporters.”
Next year’s AFLW season will also be brought forward to prevent a clash with the AFL’s opening rounds. The 2021-22 competition will begin in December, with the grand final looking likely to be played the week before the AFL season commences.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
I like the 17 round Jan to June idea. Play the GF on the Thursday night as a stand alone game. Grow and encourage the AFLW game but there shouldn't be any negative impact on AFL. I like the idea of working together but also with very healthy spaces in our togetherness - some secret men's business and some secret women's business!
Kevo
Roar Rookie
$10:00 is probably a fair price, similar to a minor league country footy comp of which AFLW may be of a similar standard.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Women?
Maximus insight
Guest
I'm sure that is not true. When are you claiming that was the case?
Mooty
Roar Rookie
It makes sense, a bit like the NFL in the US. We might get a game here in Hobart. BTW, I’m not sure most of them would would like to be referred to as girls. From what I’ve seen of some of them, call me old school, but girls just doesn’t seem to fit.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I did think you lived there :stoked: Now that Adelaide and Perth have state of the art stadiums, I think the girls game should go around the country, it would encourage QLD to update the Gabba (That might be coming anyway with the Olympics)
Mooty
Roar Rookie
You seem to be inferring I live in Melbourne. You would be wrong on that. I choose to fly there on selective weekends to watch games at both Docklands and the MCG. I have also been to games in Adelaide, and I must say the Adelaide Oval is excellent compared to my previous visits at Football Park, which I imagine was designed around the soulless concrete bowl of VFL Park Waverley
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Also most players play rugby and footy, so they play in alternate seasons. Rugby league used to be the biggest game in Darwin so it worked well.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I’m not getting into that old argument, just saying it might be nice to you know….. Share. The women’s game seems a perfect opportunity to not make the same mistakes as they have in the men’s, it then becomes tradition and you can’t change it The GF’s at Adelaide Oval have by all accounts been a raging success, it’s also literally a 2 minute walk to town, Melbourne, contrary to popular belief isn’t the only city in Australia with Cafes and Restaurants
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Brendon you have a problem playing the men’s grand final at the MCG by the sound of it. Most years it attracts upwards of 90,000 attendees, with a capacity close to 100,000, can you suggest an alternative, also take in mind it is a brief walk from the Melbourne CBD supplying much varied accommodation and restaurants
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
https://youtu.be/dynMUeKLCOA
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Works for you!
Maximus Insight
Guest
"The Darwin league is played in summer. I believe so they can play league in winter." The Darwin league is played in the wet season.....so they can play cricket in the dry season presumably. One of the stranger suggestions that they do so so league can play in "winter"
Steven Harris
Well if you think their is 600 thousand women playing afl every weekend iv got some swamp land to sell you
Peter Warrington
Guest
Groovers I will be leaving the site after what happened this afternoon. Be cool to each other and enjoy your footy (and cricket)! GO TIGES : )
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
The Darwin league is played in summer. I believe so they can play league in winter.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
That's probably the worst post I've ever read on this site. Well done
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Why play the grand finale nap at the MCG? Doesn't that cause enough angst in the men's game?
Peter Warrington
Guest
I thought this was another article about the Richmond men when I read that comment
Peter Warrington
Guest
He said women. Lots of women's teams around up here, and I presume Melbourne and Adelaide are flooded with them?