AFLW Captains Advocate for State of Origin Football
AFLW star Chloe Molloy has voiced her support for the return of representative football in the women’s game, emphasizing that the best players should have the opportunity to compete. Despite being raised in Victoria, she said her allegiance would lie with the Allies if the State of Origin were to return.
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“I never wore the Big V growing up. I played for Calder Cannons and then Diamond Creek, so I don’t have an emotional connection to the Big V, so I’m like an Allies girl,” Molloy said. The Swans captain, who debuted for Collingwood in 2018, expressed uncertainty about whether she would be selected for either side but remains open to the idea.
Ahead of the start of season 10, this masthead spoke with eight AFLW captains about the potential return of representative football. The discussion came as the AFLW reported losses of $50 million annually, prompting calls for the league to focus on improving on-field standards, increasing attendances and ratings, and ensuring financial viability.
The long-term goal is for the women’s game to secure its own broadcast deal beyond 2031. Some players have suggested expanding the season by 2031-32, with every team playing each other once, though this would come at a cost of $200 million.
Molloy believes more games and opportunities to showcase elite talent would benefit the sport. She has long advocated for an All-Australian side to play together each year. “I’d love to see this team play,” she said. “We’ve seen so many exciting formats in the men’s game, and I’d love it. Any way we can showcase talent and put them all together – I’d love to see it in any format.”
Some captains also expressed interest in an Australia v Ireland series between AFLW and Gaelic football stars, given the influx of Irish talent. However, they emphasized the need for such events to be well-structured and appealing to fans.
Teams and Allegiances
If State of Origin were to return, Molloy believes teams should be decided based on where a player’s club is located, not where they were raised. However, there is still strong state allegiance among players who would don an Allies jumper.
Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher was already picking her WA side mid-interview, selecting players like Ebony Antonio and Emma Swanson. She also discussed plans to recruit Chelsea Randall from South Australia. “It would be great to get the old gang back together of people we used to play against in the WAFL,” Schleicher said.
Carlton captain Abbie McKay said she would jump at the chance to play for Victoria or Australia. “It would be awesome,” she said. “I played one year for Vic Metro [at under-18 level] and it would be an honour to do it again.”
Queensland could also field a strong side, with the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast producing talented players. Hawthorn captain Emily Bates said: “There is that much talent that Queensland could have our own team – I’d probably say Queensland, South Australia and Victoria could all give it a red-hot crack.”
The Standard of Play
The AFLW played a State of Origin game in September 2017, when a Debbie Lee-coached Victoria defeated the Allies by 97 points at Marvel Stadium. Daisy Pearce, Ellie Blackburn, and Jasmine Garner were among the stars for the Vics.
Schleicher was adamant such a result wouldn’t be repeated. “Hey, hey, hey, you are talking to a WA girl here – of course not,” she exclaimed.
Bates, who was part of the Allies team in 2017, recalled the experience as “absolutely pumped,” but she believes the return of the competition would be beneficial for the game. “I think it would be great for the game and showcase the best talent available,” she said.
Richmond captain Katie Brennan, who was also on that Allies side, said the talent is far better than in 2017. “The talent from all the different states is extraordinary now,” she said. “There would be more competitive balance out there and it would be an awesome sight to see.”
Molloy took a more pragmatic approach, suggesting that the Allies should play Victoria, as Victoria is considered the footy capital. “I would take a more holistic view and have the Allies playing Victoria,” she said.
Timing and Challenges
The league’s continued expansion is written into the CBA, with the current 18-team competition only playing for 12 rounds plus finals. While Origin could provide more games, timing remains a challenge.
Playing a series on the eve of the season could risk injuries ahead of club campaigns, while playing at the end or in the off-season might disrupt players’ breaks. A mid-season Origin event could also be unpopular with clubs, as teams aim to win the premiership.
“The only trouble [in 2017] was the injuries that came from the game, so that would be a risk,” Bates said. “But I think we should do it.” She suggested the perfect time would be straight after the season, when players still have match fitness.
Molloy ruled out a mid-season Origin, stating: “I don’t think fixturing it during the season is appropriate. We want to win the premiership, every team wants to win the premiership, so you don’t want to take away from that journey.”