This was published 5 years ago
Opinion
Buti's Call: History shows female footballers have faced resistance
By Tony Buti
Adelaide will host Carlton in the 2019 AFLW Grand Final on Sunday at the Adelaide Oval after both teams had emphatic wins in their respective preliminary finals against Geelong and Fremantle.
Although Adelaide, who are seeking their second flag in three seasons, will go into the grand final as favourites, they would be wise to be wary of the Blues, who easily cast aside the strong Dockers’ outfit. But then again, the Crows were mightily impressive in disposing of the Cats, restricting the Geelong crew to the lowest score (1.1) in the history of the AFLW competition.
Led by the supremely talented Erin Phillips, arguably the best player in the competition, Adelaide have reigned supreme this year, only recording one loss, that being in the first round against Western Bulldogs, where the inaccurate Crows kicked 1.11 to fall short by a point. But Adelaide are much more than Erin Phillips, having skill and strength across the paddock, with first year player Danielle Ponter showing the class and poise expected from the niece of Michael Long and cousin of Cyril Rioli.
Tayla Harris (right) and a photo from 1921 published in The Australasian of another female footballer in a similar pose.
Jessica Foley, who came into the competition in 2018, is equally skilful in the air and on the ground, despite her 183cm height. Prior to playing for the Crows, Foley, a doctor, had a successful basketball career, captaining the Adelaide Lightning and representing Australia.
The Blues are not short of talent either, winning five of their last six games. They were the big improvers this year, going from bottom of the table in their first season last year to now playing in a grand final.
Carlton have been well led this season by Brianna Davey, who never flinches when the going gets tough. Then there is power forward Tayla Harris, who put a week of attention and abusive online trolls behind her, to play a prominent role in last Saturday’s preliminary final.
The online abusive trolling came about after the publication of a brilliant photograph shot by Michael Wilson. The photograph of Harris, fully stretched to kick the ball, is a magnificent portrait of great technique, balance, strength and flexibility. But such show of physical strength and poise is not new for female footballers. In 1921, The Australasian published a photo of a woman player in similar stride. But back then there was no social media to give instant and widespread publicity to disgusting misogynist filth.
Harris has stared down those who sought to degrade her and female sport and used the abuse to motivate her to play well. It is pioneers like Harris and Phillips that will ensure the AFLW continues to grow its supporter base to safeguard the long term viability of the competition.
The footballers who play for the 10 clubs in the AFLW are the modern pioneers of women’s football. They are the modern day trailblazers who will always have a special place in female sport going forward. But women playing football is much older than the three-year-old AFLW competition.
As female football historian Dr Deborah Hindley notes: "The foundation for the AFLW was set in Perth in 1915, where a game was organised between teams of women from factories and shops as a fundraiser for the war effort.
"Soon women across the State and the Nation became involved in playing Australian Rules football."
Although, Dr Hindley says that the history of women playing football has not been without challenges and resistance. "Apart from the fundraising games during both World Wars, women’s competitions had to battle against social conventions, lack of structural support such as grounds to train and play on, and, not just resistance but open hostility from some people who wanted to trivialise and demean women who could successfully play Australian Rules."
The Crows will host Carlton next Sunday in the AFLW grand final.Credit: AAP
Whether it is the Adelaide Crows or the Carlton Blues who lift the Premiership Cup this Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Oval, with the right support the AFLW competition will continue to go from strength to strength. The AFL could help that cause by persuading the sponsors of the ridiculous AFLX competition to redirect their sponsorship dollars to the AFLW, so the female players can earn a decent salary, allowing them to train and play as full time athletes.
That way, AFLW footballers can earn an income their skills and dedication demand, which can only further improve the quality of the competition, inspire more young females to take up the sport and spare us all the torture that is AFLX.