Latest news with #AFLW
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Origin of the AFL's great challenge: What AFLW can learn from the NRL
Those numbers are impressive – not quite Married at First Sight level, but large enough that if a single AFLW game came within cooee, the AFL would be doing cartwheels (as distinct from customary backflips) and telling us all about it. So, herein lies the nub of one of the AFL's greatest challenges/problems, which will prove more important to the code's future prosperity than the tribunal's travails, Tom de Koning's call or whatever Smith posted on Instagram. The AFLW's lack of marquee events. The AFL is more successful than the NRL on most fronts – crowds, sponsors, participation and relative spread of tentacles. The AFL has clubs that make the NRL look like minnows, on the measures of bums on seats and intensity of followings. But the broadcast ratings is one facet that is heavily contested, in which the omnipresent Peter V'landys can spruik that 'rugba league' has the edge. Whatever one makes of the competing claims regarding TV audiences, it is clear that State of Origin represents the NRL's greatest advantage – and point of product differentiation. This has become even greater due to the rise of women's State of Origin. Further, the ratings for each code's 2024 W grand finals show that the AFL is some goals behind and kicking into the wind. The AFL just released a meat-and-three-vegetables fixture for the AFLW last week. Highlights? A reprise of Carlton v Collingwood as the season opener, some double-headers, and little else that garnered media attention. If the AFLW fixture was an election campaign by a political party, it would be labelled a small target strategy. To avoid continued stagnation in the growth of the women's league (as distinct from growth in grassroots women's footy, which has boomed), the AFL has a desperate need for events that would be a rejoinder to rugby league's Origin franchise. So, what are the options – bearing in mind that the AFL needs at least two major event games for women? TELEVISION AUDIENCES FOR AFLW AND NRLW AFLW grand final, 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.048 million National average: 379,000 BVOD (Broadcast Video on Demand): 17,000 NRLW grand final 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.473m National average: 697,000 BVOD: 102,000 *The NRLW grand final was a curtain-raiser before the men's grand final at night. NRLW State of Origin 1 Total national reach (peak): 1.897m National average: 992,000 BVOD: 189,000 NRLW State of Origin 2 Total national reach (peak): 2.079m National average: 1.088m BVOD: 203,000 1. A grand final curtain-raiser Some months ago, Essendon president and television executive David Barham proposed to the AFL that they consider playing the AFLW grand final as a curtain-raiser to the men's grand final (as the NRL/W does). This would ensure the season climax an automatic peak or even average audience of more than two million viewers, and build the occasion; naturally, it would also mean pushing the opening of the W season earlier, to around the bye period of rounds 12 to 14. Both Seven and Fox Footy stand to gain from two or three marquee 'W' event games. 2. Grand final during the bye before men's grand final If that curtain raiser concept faces opposition from those who contend that the AFLW cannot be subsumed by the men, and that their grand final must stand alone, an alternative that this column has proposed is to play the AFLW grand final in the middle of a bye weekend between the (men's) preliminary finals and grand final. This would mean scrapping the pre-finals bye and replacing it with a fortnight's break before the grand final, which would also reduce the risks of gun players missing the grand final via concussion protocols. 3. All-star representative games State of Origin originated with the native game, but the NRL stole the franchise (from the then VFL) and produced an improved and superior product. Apple didn't invent the smartphone, but look where they've taken it. NSW v Queensland, of course, works in a way that the more geographically diverse AFL cannot emulate. South Australia and Western Australia aren't anywhere near Victoria's football size or depth, and, as Queensland's grassroots grows, a reprise of State of Origin is difficult. Too many players are excluded from a state v state, mate v mate Origin framework in the modern AFL. But the AFL can still trial an All-Star game, pitting two teams of elite players against each other. It might be Daisy Pearce's team versus Erin Phillips'. Or East versus West. Seven could televise the selection of the teams, as if this was a reality TV show. Such a game would allow the elite players to show their skills, raising the standard of footy and the horizons of the entire competition that expanded too rapidly; for those knockers of the AFLW and fans who don't follow their own club closely, this would be a glimpse of the future. 4. International rules: Australia versus Ireland This has been mooted as a potential event for the AFLW, and it would be easier than the men's version because there are so many Irish players scattered among the AFLW cohort (33 at last count); you wouldn't need many to travel out from Ireland. It's conceivable that they could compete in a game that is entirely Australian rules – which would be groundbreaking, and more so if the Irish managed to beat the Aussies at our own game. Whichever option is most feasible, the goal must be to maximise the audience and to grow interest in the women's game. Women's tennis reached parity with the men and became the most commercially successful women's individual sport globally by dint of historical quirks, and pioneers such as Billie Jean King.
The Age
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Origin of the AFL's great challenge: What AFLW can learn from the NRL
Those numbers are impressive – not quite Married at First Sight level, but large enough that if a single AFLW game came within cooee, the AFL would be doing cartwheels (as distinct from customary backflips) and telling us all about it. So, herein lies the nub of one of the AFL's greatest challenges/problems, which will prove more important to the code's future prosperity than the tribunal's travails, Tom de Koning's call or whatever Smith posted on Instagram. The AFLW's lack of marquee events. The AFL is more successful than the NRL on most fronts – crowds, sponsors, participation and relative spread of tentacles. The AFL has clubs that make the NRL look like minnows, on the measures of bums on seats and intensity of followings. But the broadcast ratings is one facet that is heavily contested, in which the omnipresent Peter V'landys can spruik that 'rugba league' has the edge. Whatever one makes of the competing claims regarding TV audiences, it is clear that State of Origin represents the NRL's greatest advantage – and point of product differentiation. This has become even greater due to the rise of women's State of Origin. Further, the ratings for each code's 2024 W grand finals show that the AFL is some goals behind and kicking into the wind. The AFL just released a meat-and-three-vegetables fixture for the AFLW last week. Highlights? A reprise of Carlton v Collingwood as the season opener, some double-headers, and little else that garnered media attention. If the AFLW fixture was an election campaign by a political party, it would be labelled a small target strategy. To avoid continued stagnation in the growth of the women's league (as distinct from growth in grassroots women's footy, which has boomed), the AFL has a desperate need for events that would be a rejoinder to rugby league's Origin franchise. So, what are the options – bearing in mind that the AFL needs at least two major event games for women? TELEVISION AUDIENCES FOR AFLW AND NRLW AFLW grand final, 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.048 million National average: 379,000 BVOD (Broadcast Video on Demand): 17,000 NRLW grand final 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.473m National average: 697,000 BVOD: 102,000 *The NRLW grand final was a curtain-raiser before the men's grand final at night. NRLW State of Origin 1 Total national reach (peak): 1.897m National average: 992,000 BVOD: 189,000 NRLW State of Origin 2 Total national reach (peak): 2.079m National average: 1.088m BVOD: 203,000 1. A grand final curtain-raiser Some months ago, Essendon president and television executive David Barham proposed to the AFL that they consider playing the AFLW grand final as a curtain-raiser to the men's grand final (as the NRL/W does). This would ensure the season climax an automatic peak or even average audience of more than two million viewers, and build the occasion; naturally, it would also mean pushing the opening of the W season earlier, to around the bye period of rounds 12 to 14. Both Seven and Fox Footy stand to gain from two or three marquee 'W' event games. 2. Grand final during the bye before men's grand final If that curtain raiser concept faces opposition from those who contend that the AFLW cannot be subsumed by the men, and that their grand final must stand alone, an alternative that this column has proposed is to play the AFLW grand final in the middle of a bye weekend between the (men's) preliminary finals and grand final. This would mean scrapping the pre-finals bye and replacing it with a fortnight's break before the grand final, which would also reduce the risks of gun players missing the grand final via concussion protocols. 3. All-star representative games State of Origin originated with the native game, but the NRL stole the franchise (from the then VFL) and produced an improved and superior product. Apple didn't invent the smartphone, but look where they've taken it. NSW v Queensland, of course, works in a way that the more geographically diverse AFL cannot emulate. South Australia and Western Australia aren't anywhere near Victoria's football size or depth, and, as Queensland's grassroots grows, a reprise of State of Origin is difficult. Too many players are excluded from a state v state, mate v mate Origin framework in the modern AFL. But the AFL can still trial an All-Star game, pitting two teams of elite players against each other. It might be Daisy Pearce's team versus Erin Phillips'. Or East versus West. Seven could televise the selection of the teams, as if this was a reality TV show. Such a game would allow the elite players to show their skills, raising the standard of footy and the horizons of the entire competition that expanded too rapidly; for those knockers of the AFLW and fans who don't follow their own club closely, this would be a glimpse of the future. 4. International rules: Australia versus Ireland This has been mooted as a potential event for the AFLW, and it would be easier than the men's version because there are so many Irish players scattered among the AFLW cohort (33 at last count); you wouldn't need many to travel out from Ireland. It's conceivable that they could compete in a game that is entirely Australian rules – which would be groundbreaking, and more so if the Irish managed to beat the Aussies at our own game. Whichever option is most feasible, the goal must be to maximise the audience and to grow interest in the women's game. Women's tennis reached parity with the men and became the most commercially successful women's individual sport globally by dint of historical quirks, and pioneers such as Billie Jean King.
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- BreakingNews.ie
Australia bound Aoibhín Cleary focued on Meath ahead of the championship
Meath captain Aoibhín Claery says she is focused on the All-Ireland football championship following her move to the AFLW confirmed. Cleary will move to Richmond when the season with Meath is completed, making her the first Irish woman to play for the club. Advertisement The two-time All-Ireland winner will follow in the footsteps of Meath teammates Vikki Wall and Orlagh Lally in moving to the AFLW, with both players successful in their time there. Despite an early start to the AFLW season, Cleary says there was never any question of playing for Meath. "Playing with Meath this year was not a question for me, so I'm really grateful and really blessed that I am getting the opportunity to do both; to play the season here with Meath and then head over to Richmond. 'I'm the first Irish girl heading over to Richmond. I suppose there's a lot of unknowns. I'm definitely pushing myself out of my comfort zone and throwing myself into the deep end, but I think that makes it very exciting as well. Advertisement 'I can only say great things about Richmond so far. Since the offer has come through, we've been catching up regularly and met a lot of the girls online. There just seems to be a really great culture and a great connection between the girls. I can't wait to actually get over and meet them properly.' An amazing opportunity to play professional sport on the other side of the world, there will be an element of home away from home with the amount of Irish players in the league. As well as getting advice from teammates, much of the Meath defender's spare time is getting used to the oval ball and rules she will face in Australia. "I'm trying to get to grips with some of the skills, the kicking, the handballing, all that sort of stuff. It's obviously a very different ball, very different technique. It takes a lot of getting used to, so definitely doing a bit, little enough I suppose, to kind of get to grips with it as much as I can before I head over. Advertisement "I've pulled my dad out to the garden a good bit, he's been questioned me a lot, he's like, are you sure? But yeah, no, he's been great, so he comes out with me a fair bit. Mike as well, the agent, I've been able to meet up with him and do some skill sessions with him and stuff as well, so he's been great." Attention will quickly turn to the group stages of the All-Ireland, with Meath set to face Kildare and Armagh. Meath shocked everyone when they won the All-Ireland in 2021, which they followed up with another title in 2022. A team that went through the ranks against the odds, Cleary says the Royals are more than capable of repeating their heroics. Advertisement 'That's definitely the aim, the focus. We have a great management and backroom team, we have a great group of girls. So yeah, it's just trying to push ourselves to our potential and really try and get the most out of us. "I think it's great having a mix of experience. There is still a few girls around who would have been involved in those years, in 2021 and 2022, but we have a lot of new girls in as well, fresh blood, and they just bring so much enthusiasm.'
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Get emotional': Loved footy figure Abbey Holmes says classy goodbye
Abbey Holmes has made an emotional farewell from Channel 7 as she prepares for the birth of her first child. The much loved former AFLW player was given a classy send-off by colleagues, including Dale Thomas and Matthew Richardson, following Collingwood's big win over Hawthorn on Friday night at the MCG. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Holmes has continued to fulfil her role with Seven this season despite appearing to be ready to pop for several weeks now. Holmes said last week she and husband Keegan Brooksby are due to celebrate the arrival of their first child, a boy, in June. The 34-year-old was clearly caught by surprise when Friday night's broadcast from the MCG ended with the Channel 7 commentary team gifting her an extravagant white and purple floral arrangement — and their full support as she tackles motherhood for the first time. You can watch the sweet farewell in the video player above. Collingwood great Thomas said Holmes will be 'an incredible mother'. 'Unfortunately for us, this is your last night Friday night footy and we have had to request an army to come in and take care of what you've done,' Thomas said from the desk inside the Collingwood dressing room. 'On behalf of the Friday night footy team, the entirety of Channel 7 and everybody around football, we wish you all the very best. 'You're going to make the most amazing mother and we can't wait to see your little baby for you and Keegs. 'It's incredible that you are still here considering.' He went on to cheekily say: 'We cannot wait to see you and your next journey through Keegan and little baby Daisy Richo'. Richmond legend Richardson delivered the flowers to Holmes with a friendly peck on the cheek. 'It's taking an army of people to replace you Abbey,' he said. 'You've done an incredible job.' Holmes admitted she will miss the Seven crew. 'Awww guys. Thanks guys. You're going to make me get emotional,' she said. 'Thank you both. I'll miss you.' When told by Richardson to do some relaxing, Holmes responded: 'I don't chill. I don't do chill. But we'll see what happens. 'I'm very, very excited and will be guided by this little guy.' She was given a standing ovation from the behind-the-scenes support staff.' Holmes shared an image of the special moment on her Instagram page on Saturday and the post was filled with comments of fans wishing her all the best. 'Love my @7afl family,' Holmes posted. 'Thank you so much for the beautiful send off. 'Going to be VERY weird watching from the couch (or a hospital bed) next week.' It is unclear when Holmes plans to return, but her comments in an interview with The Herald Sun earlier this month suggest she may be back before her maternity leave runs out. 'I genuinely love to work and it brings me so much joy and fulfilment,' she told VWeekend. 'I love to be busy and my mentality at the moment is I'll work as far up as I can.' She said she is hoping to be back on TV 'as quickly as I can'. Holmes is heading into motherhood with the support of the entire football world. Social media platforms X and Instagram have been filled her comments of followers all saying the same thing as Thomas. One person wrote on the official Channel 7 AFL account on X: 'I love Abbey. Such a fantastic person. All the best'. Another person posted: 'Feel like Holmes is universally respected as a host and personality, gonna be a great mum'. One follower wrote on Holmes' Instagram page: 'I'm so glad that you've shown women that we can achieve so much even when pregnant. 'Absolute inspiration Abbey. Good luck.' Holmes made the discovery she was pregnant after incredibly running the New York Marathon in November, with the news coming as a total surprise. 'Keegan and I have shared a very busy year, but 2025 is set to be our biggest and best yet. We could not be happier to welcome our first child into the world, later this year,' Holmes told The Herald Sun in January. 'We are so excited and grateful to be in this position, as we know how difficult it can be for so many people. We're on cloud nine and can't wait for this next chapter.' The couple have been together since 2017 after matching on a dating app. Brooksby popped the question in Uluru in 2020 before the pair tied the knot in 2023.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Now that the bloodletting has begun, this is who Andrew Dillon must hire as his No.2
Having started his long-overdue shake-up of the game's head office – but certainly not ended it – Andrew Dillon's next move must be to do everything in his power to convince Tom Harley to leave Sydney to serve as his wingman and unofficial successor. Harley answers so many questions the clubs are asking of the AFL. They are bickering among themselves and behaving in some obvious cases like bad sports. But they are united in their call for some clear, decisive leadership and a better understanding of their woes from Dillon and his team. Harley is the person to further unite them and, should he perform as well as he has in all his previous football challenges, he would immediately create for AFL CEO Dillon a leadership succession plan for which headquarters is crying out. Dillon and his just-demoted football boss Laura Kane, along with the spin team, continue to point to how good the game is and how big the crowds are. But the AFLW is bleeding and needs a major overhaul, and the game's judiciary at every level, starting with umpiring, needs new and better leadership. And frankly it's just insulting for Dillon to point to big profits and a record surplus when coaches feel so disrespected and their football department staff are so overworked. This may not have affected the quality of the on-field game, but the football cost cuts have come at the expense of high-maintenance and troubled players and Indigenous footballers struggling to acclimatise away from home. The angst around the northern academies says many things about the competition, but most specifically it shows that when the clubs throw their weight and expertise around on game development, they do a far better job of it than the AFL. Two weeks ago this columnist stated that Dillon must not waste the crisis he and his executive were facing. He should be applauded for taking charge and finally reaching a relatively painless settlement with Tanya Hosch, and recognising that Kane – as the game's football boss – had taken on far too much responsibility. Now he must move on to other departments, such as game development and human resources, that are crying out for an overhaul. Removing key football responsibilities such as umpiring, player movement, the MRO and the game's laws from Kane was always going to be highly sensitive given how strongly Dillon backed her in the face of some unconscious bias from the clubs. But Kane had become too remote with some key staff and alienated too many experienced football bosses who claimed she was difficult to communicate with at times.
