Details about AFLW season eight have yet to be released as fans ponder when the start date might be.
Following a successful seventh edition of the women’s league – which was played from August to November in 2022 – it would be the assumption that the competition would follow the same format and dates.
All 18 clubs participated during the Winter/Spring season for the first time with Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney joining the other 14 teams last year.
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An article from AFLW disclosed that the 2023 start time – season eight – will be later in the year, similar to that of season seven.
The Fremantle Dockers membership page might have also let one slip and disclosed when the upcoming season would begin, stating that the “2023 NAB AFLW Season begins in August of 2023.”
The women’s competition has predominantly been hosted during the Summer months but the recent season moved it up to begin at the end of Winter.
Opened in the pre-finals bye of the men’s competition, the change in dates was approved by all clubs to avoid the hot conditions at suburban grounds, where seating and shade are limited for spectators.
It also presented itself during a lull in the men’s league and provided more football during the finals to keep the momentum going.
AFLW Season start dates
| Season | Start/End Date | Winner |
| Seven (2022) | August – November | Melbourne |
| Six (2021-2022) | December – March | Adelaide |
| Five (2021) | January – April | Adelaide |
| Four (2020) | February – March | N/A |
| Three (2019) | February – March | Adelaide |
| Two (2018) | February – March | Western Bulldogs |
| One (2017) | February – March | Adelaide |
As details and information continues to be worked on for the upcoming women’s season, player movement will be allowed in the AFLW’s Sign and Trade Period come late February.
The AFL and AFLW is in discussions about combining a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which is believed to be a four-year arrangement but is still a while from being finalised.
It is expected that the CBA regarding the AFLW’s Sign and Trade Period will be finalised earlier than other terms to allow and facilitate player movement ahead of the season.
The VFLW season dates have also been announced as preparations for the 2023 football year ramps up.
In December last year, AFL.com.au revealed that the seconds competition will begin the weekend of March 25-26 and completing Sunday, July 30.
The VFLW confirmed that there would be 12 teams vying for premiership success and consist of 14 rounds, which is different to the arrangement of the AFLW.
However, the VFLW dates don’t usually align with the elite level and by no means provide an indication of the start date.
Credit: sportingnews.com