The AFL desires a measured growth of the ladies’s competitors as negotiations proceed over the size of the looming season, AFL chief govt elect Andrew Dillon says.
Dillon is remaining non-committal over the season’s length because the gamers’ union push for a rise from 10 to 12 rounds.
The AFLW season is slated to begin on September 1 however the lack of readability about its size is creating angst amongst gamers.
“What we want to do, and I think the Players Association are across it … is actually have a plan with the players and the Players Association and the AFL and the clubs for a season for AFLW that makes sense for them and that’s sustainable and works for them,” Dillon instructed reporters on Monday.
“But we also want to have a three to five-year vision about how we expand the competition.
“We have had huge growth over the primary seven seasons and we’ll proceed to try this. But we wish to do it in a sustainable and accountable manner.”
Asked if the approaching season would comprise 10 rounds, Dillon replied: “That’s a matter that we’ll focus on with the Players Association.”
No timeframe has been given on settling the season length as negotiations with the players’ union also continue over a fresh collective bargaining agreement.
AFLW players began their official pre-seasons on May 29. At the time, the league’s most decorated player Erin Phillips said starting training amid the uncertainty was not ideal.
Port Adelaide captain Phillips, a triple premiership player at the Adelaide Crows and dual league best-and-fairest winner, said all players could do was focus on preparing for their first game.
The players’ union is understood to be pushing for AFLW players to be given contracts covering a 12-month period, rather than the current nine months.
“That is a long-term focus and aim,” Phillips mentioned on May 29.
“Right now, the goal is simply to essentially get the beginning date, get a fixture for this 12 months.
“Looking long-term, I know for the players, that is the goal eventually to become full time athletes.
“When that can occur, I’m unsure.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
