AFLW season nine will be played in 2024 as interest continues to build in the fledgling competition.
Can Brisbane Lions go back-to-back in 2024 or will a challenger such as grand finalists North Melbourne step up to the plate?
The Sporting News explains everything there is to know about the AFLW 2024 season.
MORE: AFL practice matches 2024: Fixture, schedule, dates, venues for pre-season Community Series
When will the AFLW 2024 season start?
The final week of August.
The AFL has confirmed that the 2024 AFLW season will begin on Friday, August 30 with Sydney taking on Collingwood at North Sydney Oval.
Catch the full AFLW season fixtures here.
“After a record-breaking season eight and our best finals campaign in our history, the NAB AFLW competition is poised to go from strength to strength this year and is looking forward to having the players back on the training ground in early June,” AFL’s Executive General Manager Football Laura Kane said.
“We’re pleased to launch the NAB AFLW Season during the pre-finals bye once again which gives the competition a clear window to get off to a great start and build momentum ahead of another incredible season.”
AFLW 2024 structure
In 2023, 18 teams took part in a 10-round season, before a finals series involving the top eight sides from the regular season.
Every AFL club had an AFLW team in 2023 and this is expected to be the same in 2024.
There are likely to be extra rounds in 2024, but how many will be decided by the AFL upon the fixture reveal.
Who won the AFLW grand final 2023?
Brisbane have become the first-ever two-time AFLW premiers, defeating North Melbourne 7.2 (44) to 4.3 (27) in the 2023 grand final.
North Melbourne were dealt an early blow when midfielder Jenna Bruton was ruled out with a foot injury in the first quarter.
However, the home side rallied, scoring the first goal through Jasmine Garner late in the first period, with her set shot sailing through the sticks.
Who else but Jas?! 🤩#ColesGoals | #AFLWGF pic.twitter.com/hf3EEyCBuv
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) December 3, 2023
Charlotte Mullins levelled the scores for Brisbane after the short break but Garner hit back quickly for the Kangaroos with her second major of the day.
Some handy work from Ally Anderson then set Ellie Hampson up for a straightforward goal to bring the Lions back within a single score.
North Melbourne held a slim 2.2 (14) to 2.1 (13) lead at halftime.
The topsy-turvy clash continued after the break, with Brisbane taking their first lead of the match courtesy of Orla O’Dwyer's six-pointer.
Who else but Jas?! 🤩#ColesGoals | #AFLWGF pic.twitter.com/hf3EEyCBuv
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) December 3, 2023
Momentum shifted again in the third quarter with the Kangaroos bagging two consecutive goals to head into the final period with a seven-point advantage.
Brisbane's Dakota Davidson scored early in the fourth quarter to shrink North Melbourne's lead to a solitary point and set the match up for a grandstand finish.
The star forward then stood tall just six minutes later, taking a contested mark and cooly slotting home to pull the Lions back in front.
In the final minutes, Hampson scored her second goal of the game before Brisbane captain Breanna Koenen sealed the result for the visitors.
