AFLW Season Opener Draws Mixed Emotions
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The AFLW Season Opener: A Double-Header with Mixed Emotions
The 2026 AFLW season opener at Docklands Stadium marked a significant milestone for women’s football, but it also left fans grappling with mixed emotions. The sold-out double-header drew an impressive crowd of 20,455 spectators, surpassing the attendance figures for last week’s Australia vs Ireland match at North Sydney Oval.
The contrast between the enthusiasm and energy of the fans and the more subdued atmosphere in the stadium was striking. As Carlton star Poppy Scholz kicked off the season with a stunning goal, fans were abuzz with excitement. However, by halftime, it became clear that not everyone was on board with this new format. For some, like St Kilda veteran Hannah Priest, the double-header represented a celebration of unity and inclusivity, highlighting the potential for women’s football to thrive alongside its male counterpart.
Others expressed reservations about the emphasis placed on the men’s game. Carlton fan Asha Ziffer questioned whether the women’s team was being relegated to second-class status, with the double-header format perpetuating this perception. Her 14-year-old daughter Lily aptly captured the sentiment, likening it to a concert where the support act is often overlooked in favor of the main event.
The dichotomy highlights the delicate balance that the AFL must strike between promoting women’s football and avoiding perceptions of tokenism or secondary status. The double-header format, while well-intentioned, risks reinforcing existing power dynamics within the sport. By placing the men’s game at the forefront, does the AFL inadvertently reinforce the notion that women’s football is an adjunct to its more established counterpart?
Comments from fans like Shae Williams and Dylan Cross suggest that there is still a way to go in terms of integrating women’s football into the mainstream. While they acknowledged the excitement generated by the double-header, both expressed reservations about the format, with Williams advocating for smaller, more intimate settings like Moorabbin Oval.
The attendance figures may be impressive, but they belie a deeper concern – that the sport is being sacrificed on the altar of commercial viability. As fans and players alike grapple with the implications of double-headers, it remains to be seen whether this new format will prove a success or a misstep.
The AFL’s willingness to experiment with innovative formats is laudable, but it must also address the concerns of its most dedicated supporters – those who have been advocating for greater visibility and recognition of women’s football. If the sport is to truly flourish, it must strike a balance between innovation and tradition, ensuring that the voices of fans like Asha Ziffer are heard alongside the enthusiasm of Hannah Priest.
Ultimately, only time will tell whether this bold experiment will ultimately prove successful or unsuccessful. The 2026 season has only just begun, but already it seems clear that there will be no easy answers for those seeking to promote women’s football.
Reader Views
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The AFL's double-header format raises more questions than answers about women's football's place in the spotlight. While laudable efforts are being made to boost attendances and create a more inclusive atmosphere, one can't help but wonder if this is a case of prioritizing progress over practicality. The men's game still dominates the marquee billing, which may perpetuate the perception that women's football is an adjunct rather than an equal partner in the sport. The AFL must find ways to strike a balance between showcasing its female talent and avoiding tokenism – a delicate task indeed.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The AFL's double-header experiment raises fundamental questions about the sport's commitment to genuine parity between men's and women's leagues. While laudable in intent, this format risks perpetuating a 'support act' mentality that undermines the autonomy of the women's game. To truly level the playing field, the AFL must prioritize meaningful investments in infrastructure, resources, and marketing for women's football. A more equitable approach would see dedicated stadiums and schedules for each league, not shared billing with their male counterparts. Anything less is a hollow gesture to equality.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The AFL's attempts to boost women's football attendance through double-header events raises more questions than answers. While increased visibility is certainly desirable, prioritizing men's games may inadvertently reinforce a hierarchical structure that diminishes women's sports' autonomy and profile. To truly promote parity, the AFL should consider sharing the billing, not merely sandwiching women's matches between bigger-ticket items. A dedicated women's football schedule or regular co-promotions with complementary events could help shift perceptions and foster more equitable growth for both codes.