Only a win over Essendon can assure Collingwood don’t finish bottom of the AFLW ladder. Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS
Collingwood’s public admission that they haven’t got their AFLW program right has been welcomed by head office as a step forward for the women’s league.
The vast gulf between the top and bottom of the AFLW ladder has been laid bare over the last few days.
First Essendon announced coach Natalie Wood was leaving and then the Magpies also confirmed Sam Wright will also be in charge for the last time this Sunday when they play the Bombers.
Essendon and Collingwood sit at the bottom with St Kilda – the three clubs recording one win apiece. Saints coach Nick Dal Santo also left earlier this month.
Pies captain Ruby Schleicher will return to WA and there is speculation about a mass player exodus.
Sam Wright’s tenure as the Magpies’ AFLW coach will finish at season’s end. (Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)
The day after announcing Wright’s departure, Collingwood said they would review their AFLW program and president Barry Carp admitted “we haven’t got it right”.
On Thursday, AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley was asked if all clubs are taking their women’s programs as seriously as they should.
“That is absolutely a question for the clubs, but we take the competition extremely seriously, and as a result of that the clubs understand their role,” Harley said.
“It’s not really for the AFL to talk about individual clubs, save to say the evolution of the comp has been steep.
“In a funny sort of way, the fact that clubs are taking reviews of their programs, reviews of their recruitment and the like really seriously, is reflective of the maturing nature of the competition – which can only be a good thing.
“It’s a significant positive for the game, that these clubs are not happy, publicly – their words, not mine – with the performances of their teams. They’re looking to do something about it, which I think is a good thing.”
Harley said the quality of play across the women’s league this season had been excellent
“We should be shining a light on that and encouraging those teams who are at the foot of the ladder at the moment to get better,” he said.
The former Sydney chief executive said his experience at the Swans had reinforced his support for the AFLW.
“I can say with my previous hat on, at a club – the benefits of having an AFLW program within your club are enormous,” he said.
“Taglines like clubs have never felt whole until they’ve had an AFLW team, have never been more true.”
Australian Associated Press
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