AFLW will continue to thrive

THE AFL Women’s competition could be in for “aggressive” growth in 2019, according to league boss Gillon McLachlan.

The chief executive has been open in his desire not to grow the eight-team league next season — instead he is in favour of “consolidating” the success of AFLW01.

“I do think that (more than two teams could come in in 2019),” he said.

“We haven’t made a final decision but my view is out there that I think we need to consolidate next year and I think the quality of the game will increase remarkably.

“I think we’ll be then prepared to do something hopefully aggressive in 2019.”

Inaugural AFLW bestand-fairest player Erin Phillips spoke glowingly of her wife Tracy Gahan in her acceptance speech at the first W Awards on Tuesday night, but McLachlan rejected suggestions that the league needs to present a stance on same-sex marriage. “Our game is a game of football – but what happens is, we are part of the community and we end up – hopefully – showing leadership,” he said.

“The best way to do that is to demonstrate through action and not to lecture.”

Dual-sport star Phillips said that the issue simply wasn’t discussed in the WNBA, where she will return to in three weeks.

She said she was happy to be an influence just by going about her own life.