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AFL Women's players will receive a 94% pay rise for season seven of the competition, as part of a landmark collective bargaining agreement announced on Thursday.
The AFL and AFL Players Association have agreed on a one-year collective bargaining agreement that will see the next AFLW season begin in August this year, ending a tense period between the two parties after two seasons have been scuppered by the strain of covid-19.
"The increased pay deal will ensure that the average salary for all 540 players across 18 clubs will rise 94% from $23,904 to $46,280 with AFLW players in Season Seven to play 10 home and away games and four finals (one additional Final than in Season Six). " a statement from the AFLPA said on Thursday.
The new season will begin in the last week of August which is the week of the AFL men's pre-finals bye.
The length of the season which had been a point of contention for the players will stay at 10 home and away rounds but add an additional week to the finals series.
The players had been pushing hard for an expansion of the competition beyond 10 rounds, but the AFL would not agree to extend the season length.
Instead, with all 18 clubs in the competition, the revamped finals series will now include the top eight sides, rather than the top six, and run over four weeks instead of three.
Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will join the competition for the first time in season seven in a landmark moment for the league.
IMAGE: Sporting News.