AFLW commentator says season opener honours history but calls for bigger stadium

[ad_1] The AFLW has chosen to return to custom with a Carlton and Collingwood season opener for 2025, prompting combined reactions from followers and consultants within the girls's recreation.

They've included one pundit saying they want to see the sport moved to an even bigger stadium.

The AFL is ready to announce on Tuesday afternoon that the Blues and Magpies will open the season on August 14 at Princes Park, coinciding with spherical 23 of the boys's competitors and reflecting the inaugural girls's recreation in 2017 between the 2 sides.

Former AFLW All Australian and now professional commentator Kate McCarthy stated she cherished that the AFL was leaning into custom.

Nevertheless, she additionally understood why not all followers have been stoked with the choice, noting some would like the sport to be between extra aggressive sides or distinctive rivalries within the AFLW.

Collingwood completed final on the ladder final 12 months with only one win and Carlton got here 14th after 4 wins.

"I really like the nostalgia of getting the unique match-up that we needed to kick off the first-ever AFLW season, so I really like that the AFL have determined to return to that," McCarthy advised ABC Sport.

"I believe all of us very vividly keep in mind the long-lasting footage of the packed stands after which seeing Gil McLachlan having to inform the crowds outdoors that there had been a lockout.

"I additionally perceive different extra profitable golf equipment and supporters of these golf equipment feeling like that they had earned the proper to kick the season off … .

"I do really feel like this can be a second in our brief historical past that's vital 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 Pictures )

Final 12 months, Sydney and Collingwood kicked off the season at North Sydney Oval, rewarding the Swans for having the best common attendances the next 12 months at house video games.

McCarthy stated she would additionally prefer to see folks encourage the AFL to contemplate a bigger and extra simply accessible venue for followers, equivalent to Docklands.

Princes Park has a capability of about 12,500. Final 12 months's grand last there offered out inside hours for the second 12 months in a row.

In 2022 Essendon and Hawthorn's inaugural conflict was moved to Docklands from North Port Oval after a robust public push. Tickets for the unique venue offered out inside 24 hours, in what the AFL known as "unprecedented ticketing calls for" within the girls's recreation, following a marketing campaign by Hawks then-coach Bec Goddard and CEO Justin Reeves.

Essendon and Hawthorn's inaugural AFLW conflict was moved to Docklands after public demand. ( Getty: Michael Willson/AFL Pictures )

McCarthy stated she want to see an analogous push for the opener.

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"It will be nice if your complete AFLW neighborhood made a robust assertion and obtained behind making this season opener one of many largest ever to drive the hand of the AFL to doubtlessly transfer this to a bigger stadium," McCarthy stated.

"I encourage followers that as quickly as tickets go on sale, we buy them, promote the venue out and see what folks energy can obtain. This might present really how far the AFLW has are available 10 years."

Whereas the rest of the fixture is but to be launched, the league has confirmed there will likely be no condensed fixture, after important destructive suggestions final season when a majority of groups performed 4 video games inside a 16-day window.

The season will develop to 12 video games as a part of an settlement struck in final 12 months's collective bargaining settlement inflicting the opener to be pushed forward of the AFL males's pre-finals bye weekend.