The penny has finally dropped at AFL House. It was a mistake to copy the men

July 31, 2026 — 3:30pm

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Finally, the penny might have dropped. After a decade of wandering aimlessly, trying to mimic the men’s game, the AFL Women’s competition has taken the first steps to a clear path ahead.

The AFLW’s eleventh season was launched in Sydney on Friday night with a new boss, Laura Kane, and a new catch cry: “Our Game. Our Rules.”

It’s the first sign the AFL recognises the women’s game is unique, has different strengths and appeal, and should be treated differently.

The world’s leading female sports coach is Sam Kerr’s former Chelsea manager, Emma Hayes. The English football manager now coaches Team USA.

She said recently of the differences between women’s and men’s sport: “In the past we’ve been caught up in let’s just copy and paste... No, they’re two separate situations – we can enjoy both of them for what they are – but trying to make them the same destroys the experience.”

Hayes describes men’s sport as being like cortisole. A high-octane and adrenalin fuelled experience.........

© Brisbane Times