Thoughts on AFLW

[KTigers]

I think the AFLW is always going to be compared to the AFL because well, it's footy. And this thread will be like the others where
some people get worked up by other's comments because well, it's a thread. That's what happens on the interweb.
I think as long as enough people keep supporting the AFLW by watching it at the ground and on TV and there is financial support
for it thru that and everyone stays engaged then it'll do fine. The skill levels will improve as a higher percentage of the players are
people that have come thru the junior ranks and been playing for a long time. That seems inevitable to me.
Sorry folks, but this smaller ground thing. Isn't it a bit demeaning? Each to his own and all that, but I don't agree with it.

[Thunder Shaker]

So what if the scoring in AFLW is lower? It's a silly argument. Soccer often has games with nil-all draws and it's the most popular winter sport in the world. It's the contest that matters.

The scores are not ever going to be as high as the men's game as long as the AFLW games have only 75% of the playing time as the men's game. IMO the scores will be higher over time as the skill level improves, and average scores will rise to the range of around 40 to 50 (they're about 30 to 35 now).

[stevoswan]

I don't think that those on here who have lamented the skill level of AFLW are 'demeaning' the concept of AFLW or womens sport in general at all.....but I can only speak for myself when I say I want the game to succeed and to see women afforded the same pathways and opportunities as men to succeed in life and sport. I am a big believer in the adage, 'you can't be what you can't see'.

However I can also comment on what I actually see. I see that women's rugby more closely resembles the men's game and is very watchable. I see that women's soccer more resembles the men's game and is very watchable. What I see in AFLW resembles the men's game far less and is at times cringeworthy to watch. This is not a knock on AFLW as a concept.....it is just what I see and dare I say it, what everyone sees. Some of us like to be honest and some like to massage the truth.....but I won't accept that I'm 'demeaning' the game because I comment more negatively (and honestly) on what I see.

The AFLW really does have a long way to go.....but as others have rightly stated, it will improve as the same pathways as the men are followed by females from a young age. Women play soccer from a young age so it stands to reason they are better as adults. Rugby is just an easier game to play than AFL so the women play a good brand of footy quicker. It will take time but the AFLW will get there.....I/we just have to be patient.

But please don't argue until your blue in the face that AFLW is attractive to watch....or for that matter, worth paying to see. It isn't (yet) but it will be one day. It's called growing pains and it's all part of the journey to greatness.....and anyone doubting the ability of women to adapt, improve and eventually triumph is frankly, kidding themselves. We've all had mothers.

[joeykanga]

I think you make lots of valid points but to tell me that I don't enjoy watching the improvement or that Im wasting my money paying to see it..I think that's really not up to you to tell me either.
You're being a little preachy there and I'd rather I didn't waste my time in that argument.
If you don't think it's currently worth watching or paying money to see it then don't and stop trying to tell me what I think.
It's a wasted conversation.
I'll comment on the matches I see and the improvements and good points and I'll pay to see the matches and you can do whatever you like
But please don't preach to me

[joeykanga]

And as for all having mothers.
Mine died when I was 2, but I do have a daughter.
So maybe stop the big statements

[stevoswan]

I think you make lots of valid points but to tell me that I don't enjoy watching the improvement or that Im wasting my money paying to see it..I think that's really not up to you to tell me either.
You're being a little preachy there and I'd rather I didn't waste my time in that argument.
If you don't think it's currently worth watching or paying money to see it then don't and stop trying to tell me what I think.
It's a wasted conversation.
I'll comment on the matches I see and the improvements and good points and I'll pay to see the matches and you can do whatever you like
But please don't preach to me

I wasn't telling you not to go Joey, I was just saying I wouldn't pay to watch it......and that's a 'yet'.....and it is only my opinion, not a message or instruction to anyone.

Also, I don't think I was preaching.....I used one word from your post, ie: 'demeaning' but that doesn't mean I was necessarily talking just to you, it was to anyone who has defended AFLW by attacking other's opinions as somehow not supporting our women's team or the women's game in general.....and get very defensive over it.....much like you just did above.

Spend your money on whatever you want to.

[stevoswan]

And as for all having mothers.
Mine died when I was 2, but I do have a daughter.
So maybe stop the big statements

Chill mate....just chill.

[Faunac8]

My brutal assessment which will inevitably alienate some in here and resonate with others.
I enjoy watching a myriad of sports and viewing them allows me to enjoy a level of escapism that other tv or cinema product doesn’t deliver.
However for that to occur the viewed product needs to be of a certain quality or skill level for me to appreciate that these people are performing at a level that I could never attain.
I get that appreciation with Netball, Golf, Tennis, Soccer and many other female sports but I just don’t get that with AFLW yet.
In the future given it’s relatively short lifespan this may occur but to be honest currently it is not a product that I as a consumer would pay to view.
Don’t get me wrong I love AFL but some of the AFLW games I have seen so far are in my opinion not worthy of being broadcast.
My wife is a strong advocate of equality and as a teacher faces the gender bias regularly and understands the importance of presenting positive female role models .
However after watching 1/4 of a game recently she was bemused as to why it was being shown live on TV. Her viewpoint was that it was not doing the game any favours by presenting what was in her opinion a poor quality product especially if you are attempting to increase junior participation.
Many of the issues we discussed were not skill related but related to the very nature of the game of AFL itself which is built around several key physical attributes which may not be as readily apparent in the female game.
Some examples are the physical contesting of the ball around ball ups and boundary throw ins.
Watch an AFL game and see the physicality and explosive energy that occurs around the contest and then watch the same play in an AFLW game where its almost like a game of keeping offs.
Marking contests and for that matter marks are almost non existent and the leading goal scorer averages 2 goals a game.
There is a lot to like about where the skill level and overall quality of the game is heading but unfortunately at this stage of its development it is not something that I would readily and proactively chose to seek out to watch on TV.

[joeykanga]

I'm glad I can now that you've told me I can. So relieved I can chill now

[joeykanga]

How about we start a different thread about women's sport compared to men and leave this thread to those who want to watch the games and comment on who's improving and who played well.

Im just finding this incongrous that we are spending so much time rehashing arguments about the skill levels compared to the men's game
I thought this was a thread about our Aflw team as a standalone thread.
It really is quite trolly the way people are hijacking it to express opinions on whether they'd pay or wouldn't pay to watch it. Do we need to know that in this thread. Surely there's a forum online elsewhere for this.

[joeykanga]

Can't you just have your opinions in a different thread whilst you allow others to post about the games they do go and watch and enjoy watching till you decide you like the product better or start a different thread and discuss your thoughts about Alfw in general in that.
I seem to recall you getting so upset with The Bloods about Rowbottom and now I'm finding your thoughts just as tedious as his were to you.

I know you like free expression and I'm not asking you to like the game or calling you disloyal for not liking it but you do seem treat a lot of discussions like you have to win some philosophical thread.
I like your opinions but it's not about me wanting to suppress your ideas on the aflw product.
I just wish the thread was about getting to know the players, commenting on who's going to be a start who's improving, what was so much better I'm the last game , commenting on what the coach is doing .isn't that what we do in the men's thread

[Blood Fever]

My brutal assessment which will inevitably alienate some in here and resonate with others.
I enjoy watching a myriad of sports and viewing them allows me to enjoy a level of escapism that other tv or cinema product doesn’t deliver.
However for that to occur the viewed product needs to be of a certain quality or skill level for me to appreciate that these people are performing at a level that I could never attain.
I get that appreciation with Netball, Golf, Tennis, Soccer and many other female sports but I just don’t get that with AFLW yet.
In the future given it’s relatively short lifespan this may occur but to be honest currently it is not a product that I as a consumer would pay to view.
Don’t get me wrong I love AFL but some of the AFLW games I have seen so far are in my opinion not worthy of being broadcast.
My wife is a strong advocate of equality and as a teacher faces the gender bias regularly and understands the importance of presenting positive female role models .
However after watching 1/4 of a game recently she was bemused as to why it was being shown live on TV. Her viewpoint was that it was not doing the game any favours by presenting what was in her opinion a poor quality product especially if you are attempting to increase junior participation.
Many of the issues we discussed were not skill related but related to the very nature of the game of AFL itself which is built around several key physical attributes which may not be as readily apparent in the female game.
Some examples are the physical contesting of the ball around ball ups and boundary throw ins.
Watch an AFL game and see the physicality and explosive energy that occurs around the contest and then watch the same play in an AFLW game where its almost like a game of keeping offs.
Marking contests and for that matter marks are almost non existent and the leading goal scorer averages 2 goals a game.
There is a lot to like about where the skill level and overall quality of the game is heading but unfortunately at this stage of its development it is not something that I would readily and proactively chose to seek out to watch on TV.

Watched Brisbane play during this round. Thought some of their play was exhilirating. You seem to revel in highlighting the negatives.

[stevoswan]

I'm glad I can now that you've told me I can. So relieved I can chill now

How about we start a different thread about women's sport compared to men and leave this thread to those who want to watch the games and comment on who's improving and who played well.

Im just finding this incongrous that we are spending so much time rehashing arguments about the skill levels compared to the men's game
I thought this was a thread about our Aflw team as a standalone thread.
It really is quite trolly the way people are hijacking it to express opinions on whether they'd pay or wouldn't pay to watch it. Do we need to know that in this thread. Surely there's a forum online elsewhere for this.

This thread is titled "Thoughts on AFLW?". It is not a stand alone thread about our womens team.

How about you just move on......

PS: Here's the stand alone Swans AFLW thread.....feel free to hop on over, I won't be there. http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/for...2022-23-season

[joeykanga]

Whenever have you ever been wrong

[Faunac8]

Watched Brisbane play during this round. Thought some of their play was exhilirating. You seem to revel in highlighting the negatives.

Revel hmm not sure about that it’s just my opinion not a celebratory gloat.

- - - Updated - - -

Can't you just have your opinions in a different thread whilst you allow others to post about the games they do go and watch and enjoy watching till you decide you like the product better or start a different thread and discuss your thoughts about Alfw in general in that.
I seem to recall you getting so upset with The Bloods about Rowbottom and now I'm finding your thoughts just as tedious as his were to you.

I know you like free expression and I'm not asking you to like the game or calling you disloyal for not liking it but you do seem treat a lot of discussions like you have to win some philosophical thread.
I like your opinions but it's not about me wanting to suppress your ideas on the aflw product.
I just wish the thread was about getting to know the players, commenting on who's going to be a start who's improving, what was so much better I'm the last game , commenting on what the coach is doing .isn't that what we do in the men's thread

Did you read the thread title and the original post ? That should have given you a hint about the intent of this thread.