AFLW returns to tradition with Blues-Magpies season opener
The AFLW has chosen to go back to tradition with a Carlton and Collingwood season opener for 2025, prompting mixed reactions from fans and experts in the women's game.
They have included one pundit saying they would like to see the game moved to a bigger stadium.
The AFL is set to announce on Tuesday afternoon that the Blues and Magpies will open the season on August 14 at Princes Park, coinciding with round 23 of the men's competition and reflecting the inaugural women's game in 2017 between the two sides.
Former AFLW All Australian and now expert commentator Kate McCarthy said she loved that the AFL was leaning into tradition.
However, she also understood why not all fans were stoked with the decision, noting some would prefer the game to be between more competitive sides or unique rivalries in the AFLW.
Collingwood finished last on the ladder last year with just one win and Carlton came 14th after four wins.
Loading Twitter content
"I love the nostalgia of having the original match-up that we had to kick off the first-ever AFLW season, so I love that the AFL have decided to go back to that," McCarthy told ABC Sport.
"I think we all very vividly remember the iconic footage of the packed stands and then seeing Gil McLachlan having to tell the crowds outside that there had been a lockout.
"I also understand other more successful clubs and supporters of those clubs feeling like they had earned the right to kick the season off … .
"I do feel like this is a moment in our short history that is important to honour and having this match-up is reflective of that."
Carlton and Collingwood opened the AFLW inaugural season in 2017.
(
Getty: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos
)
Last year, Sydney and Collingwood kicked off the season at North Sydney Oval, rewarding the Swans for having the highest average attendances the following year at home games.
McCarthy said she would also like to see people encourage the AFL to consider a larger and more easily accessible venue for fans, such as Docklands.
Princes Park has a capacity of about 12,500. Last year's grand final there sold out within hours for the second year in a row.
In 2022 Essendon and Hawthorn's inaugural clash was moved to Docklands from North Port Oval after a strong public push. Tickets for the original venue sold out within 24 hours, in what the AFL called "unprecedented ticketing demands" in the women's game, following a campaign by Hawks then-coach Bec Goddard and
Essendon and Hawthorn's inaugural AFLW clash was moved to Docklands after public demand.
(
Getty: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
)
McCarthy said she would like to see a similar push for the opener.
ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that's making headlines.
"It would be great if the entire AFLW community made a strong statement and got behind making this season opener one of the biggest ever to force the hand of the AFL to potentially move this to a larger stadium," McCarthy said.
"I encourage fans that as soon as tickets go on sale, we purchase them, sell the venue out and see what people power can achieve. This would show truly how far the AFLW has come in 10 years."
While the remainder of the fixture is yet to be released, the league has confirmed there will be no condensed fixture, after significant negative feedback last season when a majority of teams played four games within a 16-day window.
The season will expand to 12 games as part of an agreement struck in last year's collective bargaining agreement causing the opener to be pushed ahead of the AFL men's pre-finals bye weekend.
The ABC of SPORT
Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.
Your information is being handled in accordance with the
Email address
Subscribe
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
33 minutes ago
- West Australian
Women's trailblazer among batch of feted sports figures
Nicole Livingstone heard it all when leading the charge of women into the male-dominated sport of Australian Rules football. "You name it, I heard it," Livingstone, the former AFLW chief executive, told AAP. "Women shouldn't be playing footy, it's a men's game. "Women aren't built for football; the standard was not good; the AFL was moving too fast. "Now, I look on proudly with the AFLW going into their 10th season - it's pretty incredible." Livingstone is among sports identities in the King's Birthday Honours List, appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia. After swimming at three Olympic Games, Livingstone carved a successful broadcasting career before moving into sports administration - she left her AFLW role in 2023 to become the Victorian Institute of Sport's chief executive. "Elevating women's sport is something that I have always tried to do," she said. "Women have always been doing extraordinary things for Australia in sport but it has taken time for women to be recognised for their sporting prowess. "Having a strong belief in equal opportunity and breaking down that barrier was really important." But for Livingstone, sport is only part of her King's Birthday honour, which also cites her service to community health. Her mother Elsie died from ovarian cancer in 2001, prompting Livingstone and her sister Karen to form Ovarian Cancer Australia the same year. "Most charities are formed through personal tragedy and most charities don't survive very long," Livingstone said. "Twenty-four years later, the organisation is not only still in existence but it's the peak organisation for ovarian cancer in this country in terms of advocating research, providing nurse support for ovarian cancer patients. "That is a special one." Other sports luminaries featuring in the King's Birthday Honours List include respected Australian rules football official Brian Cook, who has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia. Cook has been the chief executive officer of AFL club Carlton since 2021, having previously filled that role at Geelong (1999-2021) and West Coast (1990-99). He is joined in the honours list by fellow AFL identity Chris McDermott. The South Australian great and inaugural Adelaide Crows captain received a Medal (OAM) in the Order of Australia. Rugby league Hall of Famer and Queensland's current State of Origin chairman of selectors Gene Miles also received an OAM, as did soccer's Jimmy Rooney, who earnt 102 Australian caps from 1970-80. Tia-Clair Toomey, who was an Olympic and Commonwealth Games weightlifter before turning to the International CrossFit Games where she is a seven-times women's champion, was appointed an AM. The same honour was bestowed on long-time swim coach John Rodgers - who guided Michelle Ford to Olympic freestyle gold in 1980 and has more recently worked with the nation's open water program - and rugby union player and coach Shirley Russell, among others.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Women's trailblazer among batch of feted sports figures
Nicole Livingstone heard it all when leading the charge of women into the male-dominated sport of Australian Rules football. "You name it, I heard it," Livingstone, the former AFLW chief executive, told AAP. "Women shouldn't be playing footy, it's a men's game. "Women aren't built for football; the standard was not good; the AFL was moving too fast. "Now, I look on proudly with the AFLW going into their 10th season - it's pretty incredible." Livingstone is among sports identities in the King's Birthday Honours List, appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia. After swimming at three Olympic Games, Livingstone carved a successful broadcasting career before moving into sports administration - she left her AFLW role in 2023 to become the Victorian Institute of Sport's chief executive. "Elevating women's sport is something that I have always tried to do," she said. "Women have always been doing extraordinary things for Australia in sport but it has taken time for women to be recognised for their sporting prowess. "Having a strong belief in equal opportunity and breaking down that barrier was really important." But for Livingstone, sport is only part of her King's Birthday honour, which also cites her service to community health. Her mother Elsie died from ovarian cancer in 2001, prompting Livingstone and her sister Karen to form Ovarian Cancer Australia the same year. "Most charities are formed through personal tragedy and most charities don't survive very long," Livingstone said. "Twenty-four years later, the organisation is not only still in existence but it's the peak organisation for ovarian cancer in this country in terms of advocating research, providing nurse support for ovarian cancer patients. "That is a special one." Other sports luminaries featuring in the King's Birthday Honours List include respected Australian rules football official Brian Cook, who has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia. Cook has been the chief executive officer of AFL club Carlton since 2021, having previously filled that role at Geelong (1999-2021) and West Coast (1990-99). He is joined in the honours list by fellow AFL identity Chris McDermott. The South Australian great and inaugural Adelaide Crows captain received a Medal (OAM) in the Order of Australia. Rugby league Hall of Famer and Queensland's current State of Origin chairman of selectors Gene Miles also received an OAM, as did soccer's Jimmy Rooney, who earnt 102 Australian caps from 1970-80. Tia-Clair Toomey, who was an Olympic and Commonwealth Games weightlifter before turning to the International CrossFit Games where she is a seven-times women's champion, was appointed an AM. The same honour was bestowed on long-time swim coach John Rodgers - who guided Michelle Ford to Olympic freestyle gold in 1980 and has more recently worked with the nation's open water program - and rugby union player and coach Shirley Russell, among others.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
King's Birthday Honours: Former AFLW chief executive Nicole Livingstone recognised for work in women's sports
Nicole Livingstone heard it all when leading the charge of women into the male-dominated sport of Australian Rules football. 'You name it, I heard it,' Livingstone, the former AFLW chief executive, told AAP. 'Women shouldn't be playing footy, it's a men's game. 'Women aren't built for football; the standard was not good; the AFL was moving too fast. 'Now, I look on proudly with the AFLW going into their 10th season - it's pretty incredible.' Livingstone is among sports identities in the King's Birthday Honours List, appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia. After swimming at three Olympic Games, Livingstone carved a successful broadcasting career before moving into sports administration — she left her AFLW role in 2023 to become the Victorian Institute of Sport's chief executive. 'Elevating women's sport is something that I have always tried to do,' she said. 'Women have always been doing extraordinary things for Australia in sport but it has taken time for women to be recognised for their sporting prowess. 'Having a strong belief in equal opportunity and breaking down that barrier was really important.' But for Livingstone, sport is only part of her King's Birthday honour, which also cites her service to community health. Her mother Elsie died from ovarian cancer in 2001, prompting Livingstone and her sister Karen to form Ovarian Cancer Australia the same year. 'Most charities are formed through personal tragedy and most charities don't survive very long,' Livingstone said. 'Twenty-four years later, the organisation is not only still in existence but it's the peak organisation for ovarian cancer in this country in terms of advocating research, providing nurse support for ovarian cancer patients. 'That is a special one.' Other sports luminaries featuring in the King's Birthday Honours List include respected Australian rules football official Brian Cook, who has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia. Cook has been the chief executive officer of AFL club Carlton since 2021, having previously filled that role at Geelong (1999-2021) and West Coast (1990-99). He is joined in the honours list by fellow AFL identity Chris McDermott. The South Australian great and inaugural Adelaide Crows captain received a Medal (OAM) in the Order of Australia. Rugby league Hall of Famer and Queensland's current State of Origin chairman of selectors Gene Miles also received an OAM, as did soccer's Jimmy Rooney, who earnt 102 Australian caps from 1970-80. Tia-Clair Toomey, who was an Olympic and Commonwealth Games weightlifter before turning to the International CrossFit Games where she is a seven-times women's champion, was appointed an AM. The same honour was bestowed on long-time swim coach John Rodgers - who guided Michelle Ford to Olympic freestyle gold in 1980 and has more recently worked with the nation's open water program - and rugby union player and coach Shirley Russell, among others.
