Why the AFL’s pledge to give AFLW football stars the same prize money as the men isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
- Prize money for women nearly doubled to $1.1 million
- AFLW CEO says the big season comes after the Women’s World Cup
- 14 of the 18 club captains support one team to win the flag
AFLW players will still receive less than the men, despite the league’s commitment to double prize money for the 2023 season.
The announcement was made Monday by incoming AFL chief Andrew Dillon, less than two weeks until the first round of season eight.
Prize money will increase from $632,922 to $1.1 million to match the men’s league, but the purse will be split between the top eight teams, as opposed to a top-four split in the men’s league.
Despite the uneven distribution, AFLW Chief Nicole Livingstone is confident that the new season will be the best iteration as it builds on the successful Women’s World Cup.
AFLW CEO Nicole Livingstone (center, carrying classes) poses with all 18 club skippers at the league’s MCG Captains Day on Tuesday
Richmond skipper Katie Brennan poses with the premiership trophy – only 14 of the league’s captains tip Melbourne to win back-to-back flags this year
“With the passionate enthusiasm currently reigning in Australia for women’s sport, we truly feel there is no better time than to step onto the scene with AFLW,” she said Monday.
“We’ve been here for seven years now and we really think this year is going to be our best season yet.
“The message is very clear: if you like women’s sports, get behind AFLW.
“Go to a game or watch a game (on TV) and support our players and our clubs.”
The league’s 18 club captains gathered at Marvel Stadium for the launch of the new season, with 14 of them telling an AFL poll that they expect the Demons to go all out again.
In the 2022 pre-season questionnaire, eight captains correctly predicted Melbourne to finish season seven.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is pictured with wife Laura and daughter Sidney on the red carpet at the AFLW’s season launch on Tuesday night
The AFL has increased the AFLW’s prize money to $1.1 million, the same as the men’s amount – but it will be split so that women’s teams get less than their male counterparts (pictured Power star Angela Foley with Crows- player Ebony Marinoff)
The 2023 campaign heralds something of a new era for the Demons, who have retained 28 players but will not have inaugural skipper Daisy Pearce as they bid for back-to-back titles.
Two-time All-Australian Kate Hore has enjoyed a promising start to filling Pearce’s shoes, leading the side to two dominant wins in preparation for the season.
“It’s not something I thought I’d be doing in 10 or 15 years, but to be here now — I’m just super excited, very honored and can’t wait to lead the girls out this season,” said Hore on AFLW Captains Day.
‘Big shoes to fill with ‘Dais’, of course, but I feel so well supported.
“It certainly won’t be just me or left to me. Everyone has such strengths to take away.
‘We don’t really listen too much to outside noise and just get on with our work.’
AFLW’s eighth season kicks off on September 1 with a showdown between Melbourne and Collingwood at Ikon Park.