The AFL has angered footy supporters by refusing to move a sold-out women’s international to a larger stadium and directing those without tickets to watch the game at a pub.
Australia will face Ireland in the inaugural AFLW representative match at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, August 1, one week before the new season begins.
Tickets for the historic clash have already been exhausted despite the venue holding only about 9000 spectators.
The strong demand led to calls for the game to be transferred to the SCG, which can accommodate almost 50,000 fans, or the roughly 20,000-capacity Henson Park.
A move to the SCG was discussed inside AFL House, but officials ultimately decided the match would remain at North Sydney Oval.
Instead, the league promoted a series of watch parties at pubs and clubs across Sydney for supporters who missed out.
The sold-out Australia versus Ireland clash will remain at North Sydney Oval despite strong supporter criticism
Fans unable to secure tickets have been encouraged to attend watch parties at pubs across Sydney
The last men’s International Rules Test was played in 2017, when Australia defeated Ireland in Perth
The decision and the AFL’s subsequent social media post sparked criticism from fans and sports journalists, who argued the sell-out presented an opportunity to showcase the women’s game before a larger audience.
Sports reporter Nic Negrepontis wrote on X: ‘I know what decision the NRL would’ve made in the same situation and it’s ah not this one. The league is desperate to keep a lid on AFLW.’
Journalist Dani Brown was also critical of the league’s response.
‘Imagine telling people to just go to the pub instead of giving more people the chance to watch in person by moving it to the SCG,’ she wrote.
‘We keep being told the AFLW needs to grow to be sustainable – this is a prime growth opportunity but it’s being stunted without being given a chance.’
Another fan wrote: ‘It’s almost as if it would’ve been better to host the match at a larger venue, so that more of the people who want to see it would be able to!’
A ticket waitlist has since been opened through Ticketmaster, but the AFL remains committed to holding the game at the boutique venue.
The league has partnered with venues including Coogee Bay Hotel, PJ O’Brien’s, Clovelly Hotel, Shea’s, Rag & Famish, Henson Park Hotel, Bellevue Hotel and Club Five Dock RSL.
North Sydney Oval holds about 9000, far fewer spectators than the much larger nearby SCG
Former Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard previously urged officials to give women opportunities at major stadiums like the SCG
AFL Women’s boss Laura Kane said the sell-out demonstrated strong excitement surrounding representative women’s football
A watch party will also be held at The W Club at the Aviary Hotel in Melbourne.
Coogee Bay Hotel is expected to attract strong Irish support, with the beachside suburb sometimes referred to as ‘County Coogee’ because of its large Irish expatriate community.
AFL Women’s boss Laura Kane said the sell-out demonstrated the level of interest in representative football.
‘The sell-out speaks to the excitement surrounding representative football on the AFLW stage, and we can’t thank everyone who has got behind this historic clash enough,’ Kane said.
‘We’re thrilled by the demand and can’t wait for fans experience the atmosphere of a packed-out North Sydney Oval, but for those who missed out on tickets, the next best place to enjoy the action will be at one of our participating watch party venues.
‘We’ve worked with local venues to help extend the excitement beyond North Sydney Oval and give fans another way to come together and support their team.
‘We encourage fans to get along to one of the watch parties, wear their colours proudly and be part of what promises to be a special occasion.’
The controversy has renewed debate about the AFL’s preference for staging women’s matches at smaller suburban grounds.
Irish-born Sydney coach Colin O’Riordan will guide Ireland against Australia in the sold-out international fixture
AFL Players Association chief executive James Gallagher said venue quality affected players and supporters, as well as the standard of the competition.
‘AFLW games are played at many venues which vary in quality of facilities, surface, capacity, access and weather-proofing. This impacts the experience and product for players and fans, as well as player safety,’ Gallagher told ABC Sport.
‘Games in the best possible conditions showcase the skill and talent of our members, elevate the AFLW competition, and lead to a better broadcast product and fan experience.’
Players rated 11 of the 28 venues used during the previous AFLW season as average or worse for their surfaces and facilities. Those venues hosted 31 per cent of all matches.
The last three AFLW grand finals at Princes Park also sold out, but the league has resisted calls to stage standalone matches at the AFL-owned Docklands Stadium without proof that enough supporters would attend.
Former Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard made a similar call after approximately 12,000 fans watched Hawthorn and Essendon play at Docklands in 2022.
‘We saw both teams put on a really great show tonight, so why not play more games at big stadiums?’ Goddard said.
‘Just give the women the opportunity to play in big stadiums, and the fans will come.’
Australia’s squad for the Ireland clash includes Sydney stars Chloe Molloy and Zippy Fish, while Irish players Tanya Kennedy and Paris McCarthy will represent their homeland.
Ireland’s squad also features Orla O’Dwyer, the first Irish footballer selected in an AFLW All-Australian team, alongside sisters Grace and Niamh Kelly.
Irish-born Sydney coach Colin O’Riordan will lead Ireland, while Brisbane premiership captain Bre Koenen has been added to Australia’s squad after North Melbourne star Emma Kearney suffered a hamstring injury.
