AFL Womens: Changing the game

By Australian Football League

Women’s sport across the world is thriving and in Australia, it is no different. Since its introduction in 2017, Australian Women's Football has soared. This exhibit showcases the Photographer's Choice imagery from the 2019 season.

AFLW 2017 Rd 01 - Carlton v Collingwood (2017-02-03) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

This is AFLW

Women and girls have always played Australian Rules football, but the ability to compete at the elite level only became a reality in 2017. This was the year the official AFLW Competition, comprising of 8 teams, was launched.

AFLW 2017 Rd 01 - Carlton v Collingwood (2017-02-03) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League

The historic first match was played between Carlton and Collingwood in front of a capacity crowd of 24,568- an Australian record at the time for attendance at a women’s sporting event.

AFLW 2017 Rd 01 - Carlton v Collingwood (2017-02-03) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League

A lockout was declared during the first quarter, leaving many fans peeking in through the gates of Ikon Park for a glimpse of the match.

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

The ongoing attendance and support for the competition has proven that there is strong support for the women’s game.

AFLW 2019 Preliminary Finals (2019-03-23) by Mike OwenAustralian Football League

There has been an inevitable crossover of existing AFL fans getting behind the league, but what is most exciting about the AFLW Competition is how it is attracting a new generation of footy fans, including an increasing number of females and members of the LGBTQI community.

AFLW 2019 Rd 01 - Geelong v Collingwood by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

The competition is also encouraging participation rates at the grassroots level, meaning that girls growing up today will never experience a time when playing football at the highest level was not an option in their futures.

AFLW 2019 Round 07 - Western Bulldogs v Carlton (2019-03-17) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographer's Choice 2019

Take a look through the AFLW season that was in 2019. The players’ strength and athleticism, and their passion for the game, shine through in each image.

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-02) by AFL MediaAustralian Football League

AFLW 2018 Portraits - Brisbane Lions (2018-09-01) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-02) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-03) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 03 (2019-02-17) by Michael Willson/AFL MediaAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-03) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-02) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-02) by AFL MediaAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 02 (2019-02-10) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League

AFLW 2019 Round 04 - Adelaide v Fremantle (2019-02-23) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 05 (2019-03-03) by Michael Willson/AFL MediaAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 02 (2019-02-10) by Daniel CarsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 02 (2019-02-09) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 03 (2019-02-17) by Michael Willson/AFL MediaAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 03 (2019-02-17) by Brett Hemmings/Getty ImagesAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 05 (2019-03-02) by Michael Dodge/Getty ImagesAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 07 (2019-03-17) by Daniel CarsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 02 (2019-02-09) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-03) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-02) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 02 (2019-02-10) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 01 (2019-02-02) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 04 (2019-02-24) by Michael Dodge/Getty ImagesAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 06 (2019-03-09) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Rd 06 (2019-03-02) by Quinn RooneyAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by Michael Willson/AFL MediaAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League

Photographers Choice - AFLW 2019 Grand Final (2019-03-31) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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