AFL shoots down rumours of potential name change to 'AFLM' despite football operations manager Steve Hocking's comments
The AFL has moved quickly to shoot down rumours it would change the name of the men's competition to 'AFLM' in the future despite football operations manager Steve Hocking's comments.
Due to the success of the women's competition AFLW, there have been calls from certain parts of the football world to rename the men's competition.
The fourth AFLW season got underway this weekend and saw four new teams included, expanding the number of teams in the competition to 14, up from just eight in its inaugural season back in 2017.
The AFL has shut down rumours of a potential name change, despite Steve Hocking's (left) comments AAP
In an interview with the ABC, Hocking said that a potential name change was something that the league would potentially consider down the road.
"A lot of what we've touched on here is just tradition," he said.
"There's a whole range of things that we're unpacking that have just been the way they have been because of 160 years of football — and I think that's OK.
"I don't think we need to necessarily be looking over the fence at one another and saying whether we need to add another initial to something.
"But if in time it's something that emerges, we're all ears at AFL."
Tayla Harris of the Blues kicks the ball during the 2020 AFLW Round 01 match Getty
However, despite Hocking's comments, the AFL poured cold water on talks that a name change would be coming in the near future in a statement.
"We had a great first round to season four of the AFL Women's competition," the statement read.
"The AFLW has built its own powerful identity in the community and we will continue to promote its message and celebrate the league and women's football.
"There are no plans to change the name of the AFL competition."
