AFLW overhauls rules to combat scoring woes, criticism and $50m loss ahead of 10th season
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Last season, the AFLW faced a scoring crisis.
The issue became a major talking point among media and fans, highlighted by goalless teams and low-scoring games.
By the end of week four of the 10-round regular season, there had been six scores under 10 points, and the season ultimately ended with six goalless performances, with the Western Bulldogs alone accounting for three of those. Naturally, criticism of the product flowed.
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The AFLW captains ahead of the league's milestone 10th season. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Now, as the competition gears up for its landmark 10th season, the league is attempting to shift the narrative.
Ahead of the season opener on Thursday night, a report by leading journalist Caroline Wilson in The Age revealed a significant financial challenge: the women's game is losing an estimated $50 million annually.
According to Wilson, the AFLW costs approximately $100 million a year to run but generates only about half of that.
In the face of its financial concerns, the league is determined to improve its on-field product.
Last week, the AFL commission announced several rule changes to promote free-flowing, higher-scoring football.
These changes, aimed at addressing the scoring struggles of the 2024 season, include amendments to rules regarding holding the ball, ruck nominations, and ball-ups between the 50-metre arcs.
Inaugural players Brittany Bonnici and Darcy Vescio pose ahead of the AFLW season 10 opener between the Magpies and the Blues at Ikon Park. Quinn Rooney via Getty Images
A key focus is on congestion and density, which has become a problem because of an increasing number of stoppages over the last five seasons.
To address this, the league is amending new ball-up positions near the arcs.
When a ball-up occurs within 10 meters of the boundary line between the 50-meter arcs, it will now be thrown up 10 meters inside the boundary.
The goal is to create more space around the contest, which will lead to more opportunities for clearances and attacking play.
Umpires will also be enforcing stricter interpretations of the holding the ball rule, especially for instances of no genuine attempt and players who dive on or drag in the ball.
The rule now stipulates that when a player is tackled without prior opportunity, they must make a genuine attempt to keep the ball in motion and try to get a kick or handball away.
Jaide Britton of the Eagles tackles Amy Mulholland of the Dockers. Paul Kane via Getty Images
If the ball is knocked out in the tackle, the umpire's call is "play on", as an attempt is all that is required.
This new interpretation means that players will now be expected to keep the ball moving even if it is initially locked in by the carrier or an opponent.
This will result in some contests that were previously called ball-ups now being paid as holding the ball, penalising players who actively seek a stoppage.
The only exception is if the ball is genuinely pinned despite the ball carrier's attempt to move it on; in that case, a ball-up will still be called.
While the ruck process itself has not changed, the procedure for throwing the ball up has.
Umpires are no longer required to wait for either ruck to be at the contest. They can now throw the ball up as soon as they get their nominations, even if the rucks have not arrived yet.
These changes are all part of the league's overarching goal to create more open, attacking, and free-flowing football this season.
The league will monitor the metrics around scoring, margins, stoppages and transition and will provide the AFLW laws of the game committee with insights to inform future decisions on the rules.
