The AFL will look at rule changes in the women’s competition to make it easier for Irish players to add their flair, in a nod to the nearly 50 former Gaelic footballers in the AFLW.
One of the main differences between the sister sports, apart from the shape of the ball and the pitch, is the leap that is clearly required for Australian rules players who run more than 15 metres.
In Gaelic football, a player who runs more than four paces may return the ball to deny a free kick. They have another option, but by hitting the ball themselves in a way called “solo”.
Geelong’s Irish woman Rachel Kearns had two solo 30-metre runs during her team’s win over the Western Bulldogs on Friday.
A slice of Gaelic magic was widely applauded, although the referees erred in not awarding the Dogs a penalty.
AFLW executive general manager Laura Kane said the league would consider changing its rules to allow women to perform solo in the competition instead of jumping.
“It’s not allowed at the moment and it’s not allowed for the next four weeks, just to be clear – I’ve been asked to say that,” he said at the opening of the AFLW finals on Wednesday.
“But there are over 45 Irish players contributing to our game at the moment. We will look at that.”
AFL rules clearly prohibit solos, stating that a play that does not bounce or touch the football at least once every 15 meters will be awarded a free kick, with no exception for a player who “kicks or handles the foot”.
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North Melbourne captain Jasmine Garner said she was impressed with Kearns’ ability and called on the league to allow the solo. “Actually, I like it,” he said. “[Kearns] I ran too far, but if it’s in the rules and you can do it, I think it would be great for the game. Why not? Yes, change the rules and it’s exciting to watch.”
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The Kangaroos finished the home-and-away season on the ladder and are hoping to win their third straight flag this year.
Kane said the AFLW finals would showcase the momentum of the league as the season was “the biggest crowd we’ve ever had, the highest scoring games we’ve ever had, [and] six strong Victorian teams”.
He added that the league was looking to bring forward the start date of next year’s women’s season to facilitate more double-headers with the AFL.
This year’s grand final will again be held at Icon Park despite calls to move it to AFL-owned Marvel Stadium. Kane signaled the league’s focus on implementing more doubleheaders next year, possibly a return to Icon.
“At the moment we are focusing on double headers in our first-class stadium,” he said. “We’re happy with the venues we play AFLW in, but that doesn’t mean we won’t continue to explore it [Marvel] to the future”.