National Clubs

Beyond the Bounce: AFL and AFLW Through a Different Lens

By Jazz Cowling.                                          17th October 2025

What begun as a male dominated game has evolved into one of Australia's most inclusive sporting traditions that today helps shape the upcoming future. 

From sold out stadiums to the grassroots of our youngest stars, the impacts of AFL and AFLW extend far beyond the premiership dream.

Whilst they share the same code, AFL and AFLW's own unique journeys' challenges and triumphs offer stories worth exploring. 

In the end it's not about which league is better, instead its about how both can thrive together on the national stage.

 At first glance, The AFL and AFLW seem like two versions of the same game. However, whilst there are many similarities between the two variations, they are separated by their key differences that are quietly shaping the future of our game.

The AFL and AFLW are the highest level of Aussie rules football to exist, uniting the two variations through their passion and purpose. The purpose of this competition is to celebrate great rivalry and challenge among the people of our country in a way that is fuelled by the passion to inspire and shape the upcoming generation of football stars from all over the globe. 

However, key differences still play their part in separating the unity of the two highest competitions of our great game including experience and skill level, gender stereotypes and rule changes as well as social acceptance. Unfortunately, these differences have allowed society to draw the line between the two variations, influencing the difference in supporters and general opinions around each variation.

But in despite of some of the most challenging snd physically demanding times in Australian rules football, Both leagues still continue to grow. The conversation around their differences is evolving, from comparison to collaboration.

 Whilst all current 18 clubs offer both AFL and AFLW teams, team sizes and recruitment lists vary significantly. The contrast in the team lists and sizes between the AFL and AFLW highlights the differences in league maturity, funding and competition design. 

Typically AFL teams field 18 players at a time, in comparison to the AFLW which currently field 16 players at a time. This means that AFL teams are often required to be larger, to accommodate for the extra rotations to the bench, player versatility and bench requirements compared to the AFLW which is often less demanding. 

The 2025 AFLW team sizes saw Adelaide with 31, Brisbane with 30, Carlton with 34, Collingwood with 31, Essendon with 33, Fremantle with 32, Geelong with 32, Gold Coast with 32, GWS with 33, Hawthorn with 30,  Melbourne with 34, North Melbourne with 31, Port Adelaide with 33, Richmond with 33, St Kilda 32, Sydney 35, West Coast with 31 and Western Bulldogs with 30. 

 Whilst The 2025 AFL team sizes saw Adelaide with 44, Brisbane with 44, Carlton with 46, Collingwood with 45, Essendon with 47, Fremantle with 44, Geelong with 44, Gold coast with 46, GWS with 44, Hawthorn with 44, Melbourne with 45, North Melbourne with 46, Port Adelaide with 47, Richmond with 44, St Kilda with 44, Sydney with 44, West Coast with 46 and Western Bulldogs with.  The biggest difference between team sizes currently sits at and 11 player difference, nearly an entire AFLW fielded team.

As the AFLW continues to grow, increased team sizes and lists could potentially be the key to unlocking the same level of recognition and appreciation as the AFL currently receive. 

 The training sessions and intensity involved often vary amongst clubs, however very well may hold the answer to the allegations that the "AFLW is inexperienced and under-skilled."

On average, AFL clubs typically train between 5-8 times per week with a high level of intensity to reflect the professionalism within this level. Sessions consist of skills, strength, flexibility and conditioning with multiple sessions with the same focus each week to properly prepare players. In comparison, AFLW clubs typically train up to 20 hours a week, with pre season being much shorter with around 6 hours a week. However, Pre season is often more demanding onto the physical and mental abilities of each player. 

GWS AFLW coach Cameron Bernasconi states that his training sessions for the players typically involve "high intensity among 25-30 players depending on injury and availability". In comparison to the AFL which typically involves 37-44 players per session. 

The AFLW often train significantly less than the AFL teams do, with many people suggesting that this could be a possible link to the "inexperienced and unskilled" claims made towards the AFLW. 

Whilst Australian Rules Football has always been known as a winter sport, with the addition of the AFLW, this has caused the game to be spread out with the game now lasting until the last months of the year. 

The AFL season is known to start between the end of February and early March and finishes during the end of September. However, the AFLW season starting during mid August and finishing at the end of November. 

Due to the addition of the AFLW, Australians can now have access to watching football for a total of 9 months of the year. However for many viewers, the game still only lasts until September as they believe that " AFLW is not a real sport". 

Along with many other aspects, support towards the AFLW is an area that requires significant improvement for the game to reach to the same level as the mens. Often the decreased level of support towards the AFLW is driven by the rumours and accusations that "the AFLW is a fake sport" which can also significantly impact the participation and interest among players, coaches and officials. 

The AFL hopes to one day get the AFLW to the same level that the AFL currently sits at, however help is required from the community to help this become possible.