Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Port Adelaide’s AFLW stalwart Justine Mules-Robinson says the prospect of parenthood is a factor in her retirement at season’s end.
Mules-Robinson, an inaugural AFLW player who won three premierships with Adelaide before moving to the Power, and her wife Liv are expecting their first child this year.
“I’m taking on a new role to being the best future mum and wife I can be,” she said.
Mules-Robinson featured in the inaugural AFLW season with the Crows after being prompted by friends to nominate for the draft.
AFLW clubs face stiffer rules to secure pathway players or parent-child selections from the 2027 and 2028 drafts onwards.
The AFL announced the new rules on Thursday citing the need to maintain competitive balance while rewarding club investment in talent pathways.
The father-daughter rule, which has given the league a number of heart-warming stories including the McKay sisters at Carlton will leap from the dad needing to have played just one AFL senior game to 100 games while the league will also introduce eligibility rules for the children of AFLW players – both those changes will start in the 2028 AFLW Draft.
The 100-games marker brings the AFLW rule into line with the AFL rule while the league will talk with industry figures before deciding on how the eligibility rules for the children of AFLW players will work, it aims to announce that ruling early next year.
Collingwood’s AFLW team is in crisis after captain Ruby Schleicher announced her departure amid ongoing concerns from senior players about the direction of the women’s program.
On Tuesday morning, Schleicher – an inaugural player and dual All-Australian – announced she would not re-sign with Collingwood and would instead return home to Western Australia.
In an emotional farewell video, the 28-year-old – who had her arm in a sling following a season-ending injury in round nine – fought back tears and said it was time for her to return home and spend time with her family.
FRIDAY
Port Adelaide v Collingwood, Alberton Oval, 7.15pm AEDT
SATURDAY
St Kilda v Brisbane Lions, RSEA Park, 1.05pm AEDT
Geelong v Fremantle, GMHBA Stadium, 3.05pm AEDT
Gold Coast v Richmond, People First Stadium, 5.05pm AEDT
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne, Mission Whitten Oval, 7.15pm AEDT
SUNDAY
Sydney v West Coast, Henson Park, 12.35pm AEDT
North Melbourne v Adelaide, North Hobart Oval, 1.05pm AEDT
Hawthorn v Essendon, Kennedy Community Centre, 3.05pm AEDT
Carlton v GWS Giants, IKON Park, 5.05pm AEDT
It’s round 11 of the AFLW season and we are only two games away from the finals.
Please enjoy our slow blog the covers all the action and results from this very important round starting with Collingwood’s visit to Alberton Oval to face Port Adelaide Power.
Enjoy the coverage to come.
