{"id":525413,"date":"2026-03-07T21:18:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T21:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/525413\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T21:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T21:18:19","slug":"channel-7s-afl-women-inspiring-one-generation-after-another-while-breaking-glass-ceilings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/525413\/","title":{"rendered":"Channel 7\u2019s AFL women inspiring one generation after another while breaking glass ceilings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diversity in the AFL<\/a> industry has long been an issue with league headquarters often painted as a boys\u2019 club and women previously shut out of key jobs or simply ignored.<\/p>\n

In many ways, it has been a vicious cycle, dating back from when there was no women\u2019s league in sight, and retired (male) players just rolled into the various jobs on offer in the media, at clubs, and at AFL House.<\/p>\n

Of course, long before the AFLW, fearless journalist Caroline Wilson paved an inspiring path for women in media, despite swimming in murky misognystic waters and dealing with multiple challenges in a male-dominated business.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

It has not been a job for the faint hearted but Wilson \u2014 whose father Ian Wilson was president of Richmond \u2014 bravely plowed through, all the time being outstanding at her craft, breaking news, and writing stories that many feared to write in her own unique style.<\/p>\n

At times she was shut out from clubs, and who could ever forget the offensive, mindless mocking on national television from sad AFL outcast Sam Newman.<\/p>\n

Now, Wilson is part of the Channel 7 AFL team, with that network leading the way by pulling together a mighty group of highly respected women to boost its football coverage … and inspire the next generation.<\/p>\n

\"Seven\u2019sSeven\u2019s mighty team of AFL women are inspiring the next generation and beyond. Credit: Seven<\/p>\n

Along with Wilson (who stars on The Agenda Setters), there is 7NEWS chief sports presenter Rebecca Maddern, and former AFLW superstars Kate McCarthy, Abbey Holmes, Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce.<\/p>\n

Pearce, a champion of the AFLW competition, is now coaching West Coast\u2019s AFLW team but is also a media sensation.<\/p>\n

Ofter called a trailblazer herself, Pearce says that makes her a little uncomfotable.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaroline Wilson is someone I particularly admire,\u201d Pearce told 7NEWS.com.au, ahead of International Women\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get the word \u2018pioneer\u2019 or \u2018trailblazer\u2019 thrown around with my name every now and then which is flattering, but it sits a bit uncomfortably because Caro was a true ceiling smasher who led the way for all of us in this space.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was an expert at her craft, but also survived and thrived and succeeded in an era that would have been much more isolating and challenging than the one I\u2019ve walked in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really respect her for her intelligence, courage and tenacity.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCarthy, and AFLW All-Australian who, like Wilson, has earned a reputation as a hard-hitting commentator, also pays tribute to the veteran journalist.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaroline Wilson has inspired me so much,\u201d McCarthy told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be doing what she has done for so long is so inspiring. When you look back at her career, she was locked out of rooms to have access to interview players \u2014 which is just unbelievable.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is a true pioneer in the space and I have so much respect for her. I feel so incredibly lucky to call her a colleague now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holmes, the 35-year-old mother who became the first woman to kick 100 goals in a season, has since become a superstar of the AFL TV industry.<\/p>\n

Words such as \u201cmuch loved\u201d are often bandied about in journalism, but for the universally popular Holmes they ring true.<\/p>\n

When asked to give advice to the younger generation of women who want to follow in her footsteps, Holmes\u2019 message is simple.<\/p>\n

\u201cWork hard, back yourself in and say yes to every opportunity that presents because you never know where it will lead,\u201d Holmes told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been a big believer that there is no such thing as being over prepared.<\/p>\n

\u201cPreparation is key in a live television environment, you never know when the lights might go out at the Gabba!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearce also urges aspiring women to work hard and do the research.<\/p>\n

\"DaisyDaisy Pearce was an inspirational player and is a star media performer. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

\u201cBack yourself. Study the game. Practice and put yourself out there,\u201d Pearce said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been a male-dominated industry but there is a growing wave of brilliant women making an impact and changing the way footy looks, feels and is brought to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my experience the men I\u2019ve worked with in the footy media world have been incredibly supportive and generous with their time and belief in me.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey, along with some incredible female role models, have lifted me up and genuinely wanted me to shine.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, there\u2019ll always be someone who tells you can\u2019t and shouldn\u2019t, but they usually exist and comment from gloomy places \u2014 so try not to go looking for them. Instead listen to people who know what it takes and what you can offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCarthy said the revolution in the AFL media landscape was clearly happening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking in any sports media may appear to still be male-dominated but I have definitely seen a shift in the time I have been commentating,\u201d she said<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, there is still a long way to go however, I have never felt anything other than welcome in spaces where I may be the only woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more women we have pursuing roles in sports media, whether it is commentating, reporting or behind the scenes, the more likely we are to see more women on sports coverage.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing one of the first might be scary, but it is so rewarding and we all know the impact it\u2019s having on the next wave of women in sport media.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCarthy said representation mattered and it was important for young girls to watch women calling matches and hosting major coverage.<\/p>\n

But she also said it was important for young males.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, I think it is as important, if not more important for young boys to see women performing sport media roles,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more women in spaces that are typically male dominant, the more normal it becomes for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said the AFLW \u2014 which only had its first season in 2017 \u2014 had been a game-changer.<\/p>\n

\"KateKate McCarthy is a hard-hitting commentator. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is impossible to put into words the effect that AFLW has had on the AFL as an industry,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI for one, would absolutely not be working in the space if not for the introduction of AFLW.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holmes said \u201cyou can\u2019t be what you can\u2019t see\u201d and the expression had never rung louder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes me so proud knowing that there are young girls and women around the country, tuning into prime-time football on Channel 7 and seeing women in commentary roles, and incredible athletes dominating in AFLW,\u201d Holmes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis representation is where dreams are made and aspirations begin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearce said visibility and representation were super important for the next generation.<\/p>\n

\u201cPart of my \u2018why\u2019 is the hope that some little 12-year-old girl is out there watching me and thinking, \u2018I can do that better than Daisy.\u2019 l know being able to see that she can makes it more likely that she will,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took me a long time to unwire my imposter syndrome because the world and the game told me for so long that I didn\u2019t have a place on the field or in commentary boxes. I just didn\u2019t see it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love that a girl can now turn on the TV and see Caroline, Abbey, Erin, Kate and Bec and know they belong.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t have to work as hard to convince this generation that they belong.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt also just enhances the broadcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a viewer and fan of the game I want to hear diverse perspectives and opinions. Chances are if everyone looks the same, played in the same era, in the same competition and walked a similar journey. you don\u2019t get that.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving women represented has made my experience as a fan who loves and consumes the game much better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about the women in football or media who have inspired or supported her during her journey, Pearce said \u201call of them\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always find myself cheering for all the women and loving their professionalism and insights.\u201d<\/p>\n

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