AFLW 2021 Rd 1: Carlton vs Collingwood at Ikon on Thursday

[Baggers]

Good effort to get back into it, final siren is a bit controversial, the last quarter is about 3 minutes shorter than the other quarters.

I fear a clear problem with AFLW is the coaches, they are making the game a piss-weak version of the men's game. The tagging tactics tonight degraded what could have been a much better spectacle. I stated in the first season the girls game needed to evolve in the different direction, that hasn't happened, and the girls do not have the power or speed to break tags, tonight Prespakis had two opponents hanging off her before she even got near the footy and not a free kick in sight. Ditto for Harris.

It's mental midgets bringing the copycat men's tactics to AFLW that will destroy the multi-million dollar investment, the competition will be broke within  decade because people won't pay to watch a lesser version of the men's game which is where the coaches have it heading. If I was the government I wouldn't spend a cent more until I see a change in attitude and direction, the problem isn't the players or skills, it's an administrative and officiation issue.

The girls game needs to be far more open, it needs some progressive coaches, administration and umpiring if it is to survive and profit.

FWIW, I thought the umpires came good in the second half after a pretty ordinary start, early on there were some Barry Crockers, outright guessing. But by the second half they had settled down, I was pleased to hear the senior umpire interjecting more frequently in the second half. I suspect that is the structure we need in AFL with a senior central umpire having the ability to over-rule and interject.

Some really excellent observations here, Spotted One.

From the get-go of the AFLW I could not for the life of me understand why the gals played on a full sized ground with numbers similar to the men.

For the first quarter of last night's game to yield 1 behind is simply appalling and unlikely to serve as an advertisement for the game and it's growth. Total yawn material.

We need urgent rule changes/modifications to help this game appeal to gals throughout the country as something they'd like to try... and make it appeal to people throughout the country as something they'd like to watch. I turned off early in the 2nd qtr because it was just too negative/defensive.

And the number of 'holding the ball/incorrect disposals' that the gals got away with was tiresome.