Source :- THE AGE NEWS
There’s something special about the start of every footy season.
Every club believes this could be its year. Every player begins with a clean slate, and every supporter allows themselves to dream a little bigger.
I still get that feeling heading into my 11th AFLW season.
One of the things I’ve loved most about being part of this competition is that no two seasons have ever felt the same. New players emerge, rivalries deepen, clubs evolve, and the game continues to grow in ways that couldn’t have predicted.
This season has the ingredients to be one of the most memorable yet.
As players, we’re so focused on preparing for round one that we don’t often stop to appreciate what lies ahead. So here are 11 things I’m looking forward to most.
1. The game never stands still
Every pre-season, coaches arrive with new ideas, players return stronger and clubs search for the smallest competitive edge. I’ve watched those changes unfold every year since 2017.
At North Melbourne this pre-season, one of the biggest conversations has been around how quickly the game is changing and how we need to keep evolving. More teams are looking to move the ball with speed, linking together handball chains to break through defences and create overlap. It demands quick decision-making and relentless running, and it’s forcing every club to adapt.
That’s the beauty of football. Just when you think you’ve mastered it, the game evolves again. The teams that innovate are usually the ones setting the pace.
2. History is still being written
One of the unique things about AFLW is that history still feels close enough to touch.
This season we have already experienced the inaugural Australia versus Ireland women’s representative match, which will forever be remembered as part of our story. More than 40 Irish players now call the AFLW home, bringing flair, creativity and a unique style that has enriched the competition.
I still can’t quite believe Australian rules football has become an international game. What a match it was, and what a wonderful celebration of the relationship between the two countries.
There aren’t many competitions where you can genuinely say, “I was there for the first one.” AFLW continues to create those moments, and that’s pretty special.
3. A day at the footy just got even better
I’m a big fan of the four AFL and AFLW double-headers introduced this season.
As supporters, we already love spending a day at the ground. Now we get two elite matches in the one trip. It feels like a natural addition to the fixture and one that I hope becomes a regular feature.
What I love most is that supporters get to experience a true one-club afternoon – watching their AFL and AFLW teams on the same day, and sharing the same experience. It feels like another step in bringing the whole football club together.
4. The stars keep raising the bar
Every competition has players you simply can’t take your eyes off. Matilda Scholz’s aerial brilliance, Jasmine Garner’s ability to influence games, Ash Riddell’s incredible work rate, Kate Hore’s fierce competitiveness, Ella Roberts’ silky skills and Chloe Molloy’s flair are just some of the reasons supporters keep coming back. Every season another player announces themselves, and I can’t wait to see who that will be this year.
5. The first AFLW generation has arrived
When the AFLW began, many of us were simply grateful there was finally a national competition. Now we’re welcoming footballers who grew up watching AFLW and dreaming of playing in it.
Matilda Scholz, Zippy Fish, Molly O’Hehir, Ava Usher, Havana Harris, Lily Baxter, Poppy Scholz, Sophie McKay and Taya McMillan are just some of the first-, second- and third-year players ready to make a real impact.
What’s struck me most isn’t just how talented they are, it’s how comfortable they are in this environment. They walk into AFL clubs with confidence, strong personalities and the belief that they belong. McKay is a great example. She’s unapologetically herself, has built a strong following on social media and brings an energy and confidence that’s reflective of this new generation. They aren’t afraid to show their personalities, connect with supporters and embrace the platform that comes with being an AFLW footballer.
6. Every game matters
One of the defining features of AFLW is the urgency that comes with a shorter season.
There isn’t much time to build into the year. Every result shapes the ladder, momentum can change quickly and one win or loss can completely alter the course of a season.
As players, you feel that from the opening ball-up of round one. Every weekend matters, and that makes the competition compelling.
7. Every club has a story
One of my favourite things is wondering which club will surprise everyone.
Can North Melbourne create more history? How far can Hawthorn continue to climb? Have Carlton assembled the list to challenge? Can West Coast continue their rise under Daisy Pearce?
Every club enters the season believing something special is possible. Football has a wonderful way of producing stories nobody saw coming.
8. Rivalries continue to grow
The longer a competition exists, the richer its stories become. Players who’ve faced each other for years know exactly what’s at stake when they meet again. Grand final rematches carry extra meaning, close finishes create lasting memories and rivalries build with every season.
Those contests are part of the fabric of the AFLW, and they’re only going to get better with time.
9. The work behind the scenes
What supporters see on game day is only a fraction of what goes into elite football. The hours spent in the gym, reviewing vision, recovering, analysing opposition and refining game plans have increased enormously over the past decade. The investment in high performance, coaching, medical staff and football programs continues to grow every season.
10. The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else
One of my favourite moments doesn’t happen during the game. It happens after the siren.
Children race onto the ground with footballs tucked under their arms. Families stay behind for one more kick. Players sign jumpers, take photos and spend time chatting with supporters.
Elite football and genuine connection go hand in hand in AFLW, and I hope that never changes.
11. The best is still to come
The first 10 seasons have built an incredible foundation. Young girls now grow up expecting AFLW to be there. We’re also seeing more father-daughter stories emerge.
Perhaps the thing that makes me smile most is seeing young boys become some of our biggest supporters. They’ve grown up in a world where girls playing football has always been normal. To them, AFLW isn’t something new – it’s simply football.
But there is still so much ahead of us. Players, coaches, clubs, volunteers, members and supporters all have a role in continuing to grow the game. Every person who buys a ticket, watches a match, brings a child to the footy or simply starts a conversation about AFLW helps shape what comes next.
That’s what excites me most about this season. Not just what will happen on the field, but where this competition can continue to go.
I have a feeling season 11 will be another one worth remembering.
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