Melbourne coach Mick Stinear has called for a “thorough” review into the AFLW’s controversial condensed fixture ahead of next year’s competition.
The AFLW home-and-away season was this year expanded to 11 games, up from 10 in the previous three seasons.
Melbourne coach Mick Stinear called for a review into the AFLW’s condensed fixture. Credit: Getty
Instead of extending the length of the season, the league opted to have every AFLW team play 11 games across 10 weeks to avoid clashes with the AFL trade period and the start of the Australian summer season.
Stinear said the Demons handled the busy period well, praising their three consecutive wins in 11 days, but he wanted to see the fixture and its impacts on players analysed.
“I’d like to see it reviewed and just see the impacts of everything – were there injuries to come out of it? Was there unnecessary stress from condensing it with the shorter lists,” he said on Thursday.
“I think just a thorough review on the success of it, including broadcast and all those elements, which I’m sure the AFL is doing.”
Stinear’s calls for a review coincides with the loss of Demons star Paxy Paxman to a recurring foot injury.
Paxy Paxman has been plagued by a recurring foot injury. Credit: Getty Images
The 35-year-old is set to miss the twilight clash against Richmond on Saturday.
“It’s been such a challenging time for Paxy, with her foot, and she’s in a position this week when she’s unlikely to play,” Stinear said.
“Just not being able to come up in time – every time she plays, it flares up, and that limits her training, and limits her availability to play the next game.”
The AFLW has previously faced criticism for the condensed fixture and the heightened risk of injury, with stars such as North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney now missing after hurting her hamstring during the opening minutes of her third match in nine days.
Former AFLW coach and footy commentator Daniel Harford said the league should have started the season earlier or finished later, not “squeezed four games into three weeks”.
“As a fan and sport lover, I loved being able to watch more footy, but there was clearly an impact on groups and teams,” Harford said.
“I wouldn’t recommend they do it again.”
The AFL Players Association said they were in the process of seeking feedback from players on the condensed fixture through club visits.
“Once completed, we will engage the AFL in a review process, including providing player feedback on the condensed fixture,” a spokesperson said.
Bad News for Collingwood
Collingwood AFLW captain Brianna Davey will be sidelined for the rest of the season following an injury to her left tibia.
A statement from the club said scans confirmed Davey developed bone stress to her tibia.
Brianna Davey of Collingwood.Credit: Getty Images
“This is tough news for Bri, who worked immensely hard during the pre-season to come back into the side and make an impact across five games,” Collingwood manager Jess Burger said.
“Bri is such a strong leader for our program on and off the field, and she will continue to support the playing group albeit from the sidelines.”
