The AFLW has not only evolved into a powerhouse of women’s sport but has also become a platform for inspiring stories of resilience and determination.
And while the 2023 season has officially ended, the athletes who graced the field left much to celebrate.
Barriers were broken, stereotypes were shattered and astonishing teamwork was displayed. Here’s a look back at the magical moments that made up Season 8.
Indigenous round
Yindjibarndi woman and Port Adelaide’s star forward Gemma Houghton co-designed the guernsey for the AFLW’s Indigenous Round with Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara artist Tjunkaya Ken, to represent sistership around the club.
One element of the guernsey was an Indigenous story, which was passed on to Tjunkaya Ken by her grandmother.
“The story line is two sisters – the older sister and the younger sister – and it’s about the older sister teaching the younger sister about life and the journey of coming together,” Houghton told Women’s Agenda.
The other element incorporated the memory of Houghton’s grandmother, Clara Coffin.
“My grandmother collected hundreds of shells… and we were able to get photos of a couple of those shells that were really special to her, and they’re on the guernsey,” she said.
Being able to represent both artists’ grandmothers on the guernsey was really special for Houghton and Ken, as it also represented the importance of “sistership” in their cultures, the club and beyond.
Pride round
The weekend between November 3-5, the AFLW held its Pride Round, marking the league’s fourth ever round dedicated to celebrating and supporting LGBTQI+ communities.
All 18 clubs wore specially designed Pride guernseys, while field and boundary umpires wore rainbow-coloured sweatbands and goal umpires carried Pride flags.
The AFLW worked with not-for-profit organisation, Pride in Sport, to ensure it continues to learn and provide genuine support to the community.
Essendon co-captain Bonnie Toogood suggested to Women’s Agenda that the AFLW has cemented its place as an industry leader for LGBTQI+ inclusion.
“Pride Round means we are able to continue being the industry leaders in that, because visibility is a key part of the education process,” she said.
Premiership of the AFLW Grand Final
The Brisbane Lions secured their second AFLW premiership, defeating the North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos in the Season 8 Grand Final.
The Lions also broke the AFLW record for the most tackles in one game, laying 110 tackles on the Roos throughout the match.
As the team celebrated the premiership – Brisbane’s second in the AFLW – one of the girls ran onto the field holding an unusual object above her head.
It was a petrol can – and there is a special story behind it from pre-season, as Dakota Davidson explained in a post-match interview with 7 Sport.
“We had to carry (the petrol cans) for 20km through a trek,” Davidson said. “So every time times get tough, we always throw up the jerry can.”
“(Then) everyone knows it’s time to work hard – like we did in the pre-season.”
Check out more AFLW season 8 highlights in the The Wrap Up eMagazine here.