Like I said I hope you're right and I'm wrong but the problems with what you say is, like I said, biology. It will just never, ever be the case in a game like AFL that women will have the ability to match it with the men no matter how well prepared and professional the league. In fact it's true there will also never be a woman player who could play competitively at VFL level and it probably would never be possible for a female even to compete at state U-16 level. (When we were 14 we played the Matiildas regularly for warm up games before the Nationals and whooped them every time despite being the worst state in the country and this is a common occurrence in heaps of sports.)Sanctorum wrote: ↑Sat 22 Feb 2020 4:30pmI'm sure there are many who agree with these sentiments roskilde, but I am in no doubt that in years to come you will be proved wrong.roskilde wrote: ↑Sat 22 Feb 2020 3:57pm
I might feel the need to escape from the yawning chasm of indifference I have towards AFLW if I hadn't watched a game for myself and if it weren't for the constant evangelizing by the pro AFLW faction. It's everywhere and it's really annoying. If it's so good let the game speak for itself. If it's a great product people will organically want to get involved. 19 to 14 in that game. 5 goals the entire game.
Honestly I hope they prove me wrong and it is successful but ultimately you're looking at a game whose ultimate ceiling in terms of creating an attractive product is, unfortunately, the particulars of female biology. I'd say their best bet is to allow and actively encourage 'trans' women -- start with that big 'lady' with the blonde hair who regularly smashes women 100 pounds lighter than her at club level -- who are faster and stronger into the league to raise the level of the game but that would be cheeky and downright cynical.
The AFL is totally committed to make AFLW work and succeed and they will back it all the way financially to ensure that it does. Participation by young girls in junior AFL is at record levels and growing fast and this will ensure that in years to come the standard of skills these players reach will be very high.
You only have to look at the way Caitlin Greiser booted a goal after taking a strong mark deep in the pocket, from 55 m no less, to realise that the women have the ability to match it with the men.
It is a mistake to judge the future potential of women's football on current standards, it has to start somewhere and each year it will improve exponentially. The benefit to the AFL industry overall from women playing our game is that broadcast rights will continue to go higher and higher, and thereby secure the future of the game for all genders.
I agree it can and will get better but it can't get that much better and therefore can't possibly maintain a large fan base. Like the WNBA it will likely continue as an unprofitable sport kept alive by the subsidies that come from the male game. Which, BTW, is totally fine. It's not a knock on the girls it's just the harsh reality of business.
(For someone so indifferent about AFLW I know I'm talking a lot but I'm actually interested in the general issue of females and sport.)
