Following further negotiations, the players won a series of improved conditions including the promise of an independent review of the AFLW competition, to be funded by the AFL, increased prizemoney and greater notice of key season dates.
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With the vote having passed, the AFL is set to release the 2020 AFLW fixture this week. The contentious conference system remains in place.
Women's football sources have told The Age that the conferences will be divided as follows: Collingwood, Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Richmond, Fremantle and West Coast in one conference and St Kilda, Geelong, North Melbourne, Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney, Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast in the other.
The season will begin on the weekend of Saturday, February 8, with a double-header at Ikon Park featuring Carlton v Richmond and Collingwood v Melbourne. The Saints are also set to host the Dogs in a cross-conference game in round one. The Eagles and Dockers are poised to play their inaugural derby in round two.
AFL Players' Association CEO Paul Marsh said the CBA would ensure growth over the next three seasons, and also set the game up for long-term sustainability.
"The competition has taken great strides forward each year and this deal guarantees increases in wages, games, training time and funding for off-field support at a time when 120 new playing positions have been created through the introduction of four new teams," he said.
"Our players have a strong desire to keep growing the competition, and while they accept they won't play every team once within this CBA, growth in the number of games will continue to be a priority for players moving forward.
"We are also pleased to have a commitment to an AFLW competition review, which will allow us to work closely with players and the industry on matters of importance to ensure AFLW players have every opportunity to thrive."
AFL head of women;s football Nicole Livingstone said the agreement reflected the AFL and AFLPA's long-term commitment to women's football.
"This is a great outcome for women and girls' football across the country. It delivers certainty to the current AFLW playing group and allows investment in the future of women's football to sustain the long-term growth of the women's game at all levels," Livingstone said.
"We've come so far, and we've gathered such momentum and possibility. As we continue on the journey of expanding the competition, 10 teams become 14 and 120 new players will get their opportunity to play next season.
"I thank the AFLPA for their advocacy on behalf of their members and most importantly the players for their passion, courage and commitment to the continued success and long-term sustainability of the competition."
MORE TO COME
Daniel is an Age sports reporter









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