AFLW to boost pay
TOTAL player payments for the AFL’s women’s competition will rise more than a third next season under the AFLW’s first collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Under the agreement reached by the AFLPA and the AFL, player payments in the AFLW will total $4.748 million next year.
The minimum AFLW player wage will rise 27.6 per cent, with the four-tier system now offering payments from $13,400 to $24,600.
The $127,500 in prize money for next season’s four finalists will be shared between the clubs, and players will have the chance to earn more income via a new AFL ambassadors fund worth $100,000 over four years.
AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh says players voted overwhelmingly in favour of the CBA.
Smith, who played only three AFL matches this year after issues with form and a back injury, will again face tough competition to force his way into the Cats’ best side.
Rhys Stanley was rewarded with a new two-year contract after producing some of the best form of his career, while Ryan Abbott has reportedly added about 6kg to his frame in the off-season in a bid to improve his strength in the contest.
Scarlett said he hoped the young players would lead the charge when the senior players return to the track Monday week.
“We hope some of these guys really come on this year and they get a couple of good weeks’ jump on the older guys,” he said.
“Quite often what happens when the older guys come back, these guys go back in their shell a little bit, so hopefully there’s a few emerging leaders in this group and when the older guys come back they can keep their voice up and really set the standard with our training.”