News Magpies AFLW/VFLW News.

[Vicky Park]

One day, in a far away land, the Collingwood AFLW team gets to play the opening round at Victoria Park. Might have happened once in 8 or 9 seasons.

 

[Vicky Park]

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Two round 4s?

 

[Jen2310]

Two round 4s?

Looks like they are compressing two games in one round...

Two games in 5 days...wtf

Week Four
Tuesday, September 17
Collingwood v West Coast at IKON Park, 7.15pm AEST (Foxtel)


Wednesday, September 18
Brisbane v Western Bulldogs at Brighton Homes Arena, 7.15pm AEST (Seven)


Thursday, September 19
Richmond v Carlton at IKON Park, 7.15pm AEST (Foxtel)


Friday, September 20
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Mission Whitten Oval, 5.05pm AEST (Foxtel)


Saturday, September 21
Gold Coast v Geelong at People First Stadium, 12.05pm AEST (Foxtel)
St Kilda v Hawthorn at RSEA Park, 2.05pm AEST (Foxtel)
Fremantle v Melbourne at Fremantle Oval, 12.05pm AWST (Foxtel)


Sunday, September 22
Adelaide v Essendon at Unley Oval, 12.35pm ACST (Seven)
Sydney v Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park, 3.05pm AEST (Foxtel)
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs at Victoria Park, 3.05pm AEST (Seven)
West Coast v Brisbane at Mineral Resources Park, 3.05pm AWST (Foxtel)

 

[barrackers]

One day, in a far away land, the Collingwood AFLW team gets to play the opening round at Victoria Park. Might have happened once in 8 or 9 seasons.

At least we finally get the blues away from princes park

Looks like they are compressing two games in one round...

Two games in 5 days...wtf

Week Four
Tuesday, September 17
Collingwood v West Coast at IKON Park, 7.15pm AEST (Foxtel)

3 games in 10 days, we have a 4 day break coming back from Brisbane leading into R4

4 games in 15 days, we have a 5 day break coming out of R4

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

Is there any reason why the club completely dismantled its VFLW program by turning over about 90% of the playing list?
We couldn't lose a game for about 2 years there, and now with a completely different list, the quality has taken a back seat. Are we using the VFLW side as a development program?

 

[Jen2310]

Is there any reason why the club completely dismantled its VFLW program by turning over about 90% of the playing list?
We couldn't lose a game for about 2 years there, and now with a completely different list, the quality has taken a back seat. Are we using the VFLW side as a development program?

I think it was the players decision. It was a big mess and confusion at the start of the year
But we lost everyone but 1-2
Even our captain.

When Collingwood’s VFLW team takes to the field at Moorabbin on Friday night in the opening game of the 2024 season, only the side’s uniform and name will connect this group of players to the last incarnation of Magpies who played in the second-tier women’s league.
Collingwood lost to Port Melbourne by two goals in the 2023 grand final late last July, and not one of the 21 Magpies from that game have returned to the club this season.

Indeed just one player from Collingwood’s 2023 VFLW list – Marnie Jarvis – remains on the Pies’ books in 2024.

It is at face value a bizarre turn of events for a side that topped the ladder at the end of the home and away season, and has been among the strongest clubs in the VFLW era, winning the premiership in 2019 and being one of two sides left standing in the Covid-cruelled 2021 campaign.

What has happened at Collingwood is unique in part, but also emblematic of deeper issues about the purpose of the state league as AFLW heads towards full-time professionalism.

The genesis of the Magpie exodus can be drawn back to a post on the womensfootballvic Instagram page on November 2 last year.

The page, which has more than 5000 followers, posted a graphic with related text to report that Collingwood was in discussions with Williamstown around a “merger,” which would be similar to the alignment deal between Port Melbourne and Richmond in VFLW, as well as several arrangements both current and past in the VFL men’s competition.

The news sent a shockwave through Collingwood’s playing group, some of whom had been training as top-up players with the side’s AFLW squad.

Clarity was sought by VFLW players to the club’s hierarchy. Later on November 2, a statement was posted on behalf of Pies chief executive Craig Kelly, head of women’s football Jess Burger and the then football operations manager Clare Pettyfor in a player WhatsApp group.

The message confirmed that the club was exploring various models around the future of Collingwood’s involvement in the state league as part of broader reviews from the AFL and the club into the direction of the VFLW. The message committed to keep players informed of any updates.


Just three days later, on Sunday November 5, a message from Burger confirmed the internal review was complete, and following discussions with the AFL, Collingwood would retain its standalone structure for 2024, with emails around season timing and processes to follow in the coming days.

Despite the club’s efforts to smooth things over, it soon became clear that a significant proportion of the Magpies’ VFLW squad would depart the club.

Captain of three seasons Caitlin Bunker, a member of the 2019 premiership side, departed for the standalone Darebin Falcons, as did fellow leadership group members Katie Lee and Riley Christgoergl. Best and fairest Jess Bates returned to South Australia, best first-year player Eva Nikolitsas was one of a group who headed to the Southern Saints – St Kilda’s VFLW side – while others joined North Melbourne, Williamstown, Box Hill and the Western Bulldogs. Some left the league altogether. Only 24-year-old Jarvis, formerly of Carlton’s VFLW team, stayed.

Undoubtedly what has happened at Collingwood is an extreme example, but it’s understood the Magpies were not the only AFL club who discussed a VFLW alignment at the end of 2023.

With the AFLW season and pre-season expanding in recent years, as well as being switched to a Spring timeslot, the VFLW cannot serve an AFL reserves function to that of its men’s equivalent, which also begins this weekend.

Come AFLW season, the VFLW will be wrapped up, meaning non-selected players have needed to rely on scratch matches similar to those played in the Covid AFL men’s hubs.

Christgoergl, previously captain of the Bulldogs VFLW side, provided Code Sports with extracts of the email she sent to Collingwood officials after declining their offer to play in 2024.


“Firstly thank you for the offer for me to continue my football at Collingwood,” Christgoergl wrote.

“After a lot of thought and processing I have decided to not return to Collingwood for the 2024 season. I have been offered a paid contract elsewhere and will be accepting that opportunity. My season at Collingwood was a welcome step up. With access to elite facilities, amazing staff who supported and educated for the love of it and a playing group so incredibly unique in personalities and closeness. It was an absolute pleasure to represent the group and the club as a leader and an on-field player. I couldn't see myself leaving. Unfortunately with what has unfolded in the past couple of weeks, I feel like I have no choice.

“I cannot stand by a club once again who were so willing to dissolve their VFLW program. Western Bulldogs did this prior to the 2022 season and I stayed and completely regretted it. I have sympathy for AFL clubs who have to stretch minimal resources across two programs that don't line up and I agree with the league needing to amend this immediately. However there is a choice to keep players and staff in the dark, a choice to neither confirm or deny rumours of a merger and a choice to not acknowledge the impact this has had on both staff and players. This was the choice made by the club and the people above our program. I cannot put on a jumper and represent or lead at a club that treats people like that.”

The Magpies pointed to the lack of cohesion between AFLW and VFLW in a statement issued to this masthead ahead of the VFLW season.

“As per every AFLW season, Collingwood assessed all areas of the club’s women’s football programs and pathways,” the club said.

“Together with the AFL, the club explored a number of different models for the second-tier system due to the current misalignment of the AFLW and VFLW seasons. One of those models explored was an alignment with another VFLW club, similar to how other AFLW programs are set up across the state.

“Following this process, the club elected to continue with a standalone Collingwood VFLW program and it is important to note all players and program staff were kept updated and communicated with.

“The club will continue to invest in, develop and progress women’s football programs both on and off the field.”

The AFL declined to comment for this story other than to note that veteran football administrator Geoff Walsh was looking at VFLW as part of a wider review into competitive balance across the men’s and women’s games.

Christgoergl said she wanted her story to help bring attention to the VFLW’s plight.

“I’m sharing my experience in the hope that it will drive positive change in the AFLW and the AFLW aligned clubs to ensure that female sport continues to move forward and not backwards,” she said this week.

“I believe we need to shed more light on AFL clubs and the AFL on the minimal growth that the VFLW has had. This league is one below the AFLW and should be treated with that level of respect.

“A lot of attention and resources have gone into the AFLW league, as it should. However we need to walk the walk with women’s development in AFL across all levels to ensure we have consistent and upward growth in the women’s game.”

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/collingwood-vflw-program-issues-emblematic-of-state-leagues-major-concerns/news-story/38817614ccfd2b20594e285f488b55e1

 

[Vicky Park]

Is there any reason why the club completely dismantled its VFLW program by turning over about 90% of the playing list?
We couldn't lose a game for about 2 years there, and now with a completely different list, the quality has taken a back seat. Are we using the VFLW side as a development program?

No idea. It’s a mystery. Hopefully someone can enlighten us. Hopefully also it wasn’t due to some internal issue or rebellion on the girls’ part.

 

[TradeDraft]

Can we play them here? FFS.
Since chloe moved, we havent played them at vic park. Last year was in sydney too.

Scared she will get Booed

 

[Jen2310]

This is awesome




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[Jen2310]

 

[Vicky Park]

Good to see Ruby Schleicher has a game day gig on Fox Footy. She was one of the Fox crew for the Pies/North game, and performed well enough including interviewing Maynard after the game.

Really pleased for her, and hopefully she will make a career out of footy media - but not until she finishes playing for us.

 

[Jen2310]

Some familiar faces




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[Jen2310]

Collingwood’s 2024 AFLW Coaching Panel


General Manager of Women’s Football – Jess Burger


AFLW Senior Coach – Sam Wright


Head of Development and Midfield Coach – Tom Wilson


Forward Assistant Coach– Dan Currie


Back Assistant Coach – Dom Tyson

21

Dom Tyson

Age

31

Ht

186cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.3

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

12.0

5star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.5

5star

CL

3.8

5star

No current season stats available

D

14.0

4star

K

5.0

2star

HB

9.0

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.8

4star

CL

2.4

5star

Midfield Development Coach – Chris Gamble


Forward Development Coach and Runner – Tom Cashin


Backs Development Coach – Jess Duffin


Development Coach – Liam McKenna

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Jen2310]