The eight AFL women's clubs have been asked to compile a list of their preferred marquee players as the first step in the new national women's league.
Officials of the eight licensed clubs – Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs – met with the league's game development general manager Simon Lethlean at the MCG on Wednesday afternoon to start formal preparations for the eight-week competition next summer, with discussions also covering player salaries, the possible venue for a Grand Final, and a father-daughter rule.
"We'll be working with clubs for marquee player nominations and allocations to those clubs. Then we'll be working on state-based drafts to be held in October," Lethlean said after the club briefing.
"We've asked them to submit their final preferences in a couple of weeks and then we'll work with our state academies. And the girls will have a say too on where they want to be, and we'll spread that talent."
The AFL will try to keep players in their home states, meaning Daisy Pearce will likely play for Melbourne and Tayla Harris for the Brisbane Lions; they already work for the respective clubs.
"Certainly, there are girls with affinities to clubs, and Daisy is a great example. She's working with Melbourne and she's obviously a Melbourne person," Lethlean said.
"We'll work with the clubs and do our best to make sure girls with relationships are accommodated. But it's not going to work for every club, and we'll work to try to get that right."
Although the initial marquee system will be limited to two players per club, the AFL may expand that for teams in the developing states like New South Wales.
Marquee players will be paid $25,000 for the two-month season, with payments scaled down among teammates following lottery-based drafts.
Games will be played under normal AFL rules, and Lethlean assured that any tinkering would not compromise the new competition.
"At this stage it's full AFL rules. We're not going to make any changes that are not well thought out," he said.
"We've been analysing exhibition games this year with 16-a-side and last-touch out of bounds (rules) being trialled. Any change would be based on facts and analysis, not on a whim."
It's possible some games could be played on Monday nights under lights to avoid the summer heat.
"We want to encourage families to come, (people) after work and to avoid the heat. We can do what we like. We have a blank canvas and we'll encourage innovation as well," Lethlean said.
The Grand Final venue will depend on the two competing clubs.
"If it's two Victorian clubs, it would be great to have the game on the MCG. If it's a Perth team against an Adelaide team, then we'll have it in Perth or Adelaide.
“That's open for conjecture and discussion to make sure it's done right. We want to make sure we start this thing well and ensure it's sustainable," Lethlean said.
The AFL also had discussions with the five unsuccessful applicants (Geelong, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast) to ensure they continue fostering women's football.
"They're disappointed, but they understand the opportunities to work with us to develop talent in their regions. And if the clubs can do that as quickly as possible, they'll be in as soon as possible," Lethlean said.
"St Kilda will work in the bayside and Geelong will work in their region in Victoria, the Tigers will work up in the country as well, North Melbourne will work in Tasmania and West Coast will work in metropolitan and regional Western Australia."
A father-daughter system is being introduced with the eligibility being one AFL game for the father, while officials will consider extending the six-round home-and-away series in the tight two months "window" for the inaugural competition.
"We want to start the competition in February when the Australian Open (tennis) is finished. It's a nice window for sport in Australia and oxygen for the competition," Lethlean said.
"Conversations are happening, opportunities are arising and careers are unfolding. It's a great sport to be involved in."
