The men’s finals might grab the headlines in September, but there’s another competition kicking off that deserves your attention – and if we’re being honest, being true to your club surely means supporting all its teams.

AFLW is closing in on its historic first decade, and the game has never been faster, sharper, or more compelling. Whether you’re a lifelong footy tragic or someone who’s never been to a women’s game, here’s why this year is the one to jump on board with your family and friends.

The AFLW captains launch the league’s 10th season.Credit: AFL Photos

For some fans, the men’s season ends in heartbreak – missed opportunities, what-ifs, and a long wait for next year. But in AFLW, September is a fresh start. Your club’s women’s side is about to launch into a new season, with clean slates, untested combinations and stories waiting to be written. Backing your women’s team means you get to carry the colours and the pride for another three months, ride the highs and lows and maybe even watch your club lift a premiership cup. If you think you’ve experienced the thrill of finals, imagine doing it all over again – twice in one year. There is no better example than my team, North Melbourne, whose fans truly have a one-club mentality and all enjoyed our maiden flag last year.

The AFL has heard the calls for more speed and scoring, and this year’s rule tweaks are all about creating a free-flowing game. No more long pauses waiting for ruck nominations – as soon as each team’s ruck is identified, play will restart. Umpires will be cracking down harder on players who don’t make a genuine attempt to dispose of the ball when tackled, ensuring the game moves quickly and doesn’t get bogged down in scrappy contests. And the new dive/drag interpretation means players can’t sit on the ball or hold it in; they’ve got to knock it clear, which opens up space and keeps the momentum alive. The result? More end-to-end action, more goals, and more heart-in-mouth moments for fans of all ages.

It wasn’t so long ago that AFLW players had to rush from their day jobs to training under lights, juggling careers and families with the demands of........

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