Melbourne AFLW skipper Kate Hore backs league's future, citing rising skills and talent
The AFL has reportedly told clubs the women's competition is losing $50 million a year as it approaches its 10th season, which starts next month.
League officials have made improving on-field performances the top priority for the AFLW, which is also facing declining crowds and television audiences.
AFLW players are pushing for an expanded season, in which every team plays each of its opponents once, by 2031.
But a review by league officials has reportedly showed that would come at a $200 million loss.
Hore, a seven-year AFLW veteran, urged league officials and sponsors to have faith in the competition, which she believes is growing its on-field product each year.
"I'm super confident that the AFLW is an amazing competition already and we're only 10 seasons in, so I think we just need to keep investing, both as players and then more broadly as well, into the game," Hore said.
"I compare myself as a player in my first season in 2018 and if I was that same player now I certainly wouldn't be getting a game.
"The standard and the investment from players is only growing, and the competition's only going to keep growing as the investment comes."
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Hore, a three-time All-Australian and premiership player in 2022, said the continuing influx of young players who have developed through talent pathways will lift the AFLW's standard.
"The skill levels are going to continue to grow and I've really seen that in our new girls and our draftees this year," she said.
"They've been playing the game since they were five years old.
"I compare it to myself, I played from five until 10 (years of age) and then didn't play for 10 years.
"It's a pretty long time where I didn't get to develop my skills.
"These girls are coming through the pathways now … it makes me really, really excited for the future."
Hore on Wednesday helped Melbourne launch a new sponsorship with a Swedish automotive manufacturer, who will partner with the Demons' women's team this season.
"This partnership just shows that there's so many businesses and organisations that really want to help grow the game and support us girls," Hore said.
"It's an investment really and the competition's growing. We're celebrating our 10th season but only nine years in, so the competition is going to continue to grow.
"Sponsorships like this show that there's real investment from organisations and businesses out there, which we really love."
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