The new AFL and AFLW Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is expected to give current and future players more stability for the next five years after a $2.2 billion pay deal.

It is the first time a CBA has covered the needs of both AFL and AFLW players.

There will be a big increase in pay across both leagues, the AFLW season is expected to go from 10 games to 14, as well as five day breaks, three year deals for draftees, and a hint at possible mid-season trading.

Men’s football is concluding at the end of next week, whereas the women’s league is one month into their season.

What were the events that led up to the CBA? How will players benefit from the deal? Let’s break it down.

Pay increase for all

The CBA will run through to the end of 2027. It will see AFL players receive a 37 percent pay rise over their contracted time and AFLW players 29 percent pay increase effective immediately.

Men’s players’ average salary will increase to $519,000, and women’s players see an increase from their current $46,000 to $82,000.

In total, player payments in the AFLW will increase by 77 percent across the 540 players in the league by the end of the five year deal.

The AFLW is considered semi-professional as many still have full time or part time jobs they need to fulfil. The previous CBA in 2017 was a big step in the league’s progress as it gave more professionalism towards the women’s competition.

AFLW players are also set to receive 12 month contracts and be able to sign multi year deals.

Port Adelaide player Jasmine Simmons is in support of a season extension and agrees, but agrees that it can be complicated.

“We’re heading in the right direction to allow women to not have to work full-time as well as play footy on the side,” AFLW player Jasmine Simmons told ABC News.

“It’s pretty hectic, but it’s still a semi-professional sport.”

More AFLW games

Currently, the AFLW season consists of four months of preseason, 10 home and away games and four rounds of finals. The season will expand to 12 home and away rounds by 2025 and a possible 14 by 2027.

This will be dependent on achievements of key audience metrics based on the 2018 season. That year had on average 6,000 people at games and 100,000 broadcast viewers.

The AFL and AFL Players Association (AFLPA) will work on a marketing plan to build greater support for the AFLW competition.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan wants to help more women play football by showcasing the competition more.

“Together we will focus on expanding crowds and TV audience for the women’s competition while working to engage more women and girls to take up football,” he said.

Player flexibility

Fans should expect some more Thursday night blockbusters as the AFL introduces a five day break period, as clubs are set to receive three per season, providing greater flexibility in fixturing.

There is also the possible introduction of a mid-season trade period as soon as next year. The AFL and AFLPA agreed on the concept in principle, and incoming AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the option is on the table, but no promises have been made.

“At the moment all of those things are on the table. It could be open or we might want to put parameters around it,” he said. “That’s the detail that we’ll work through with the clubs and also with the players’ association just to make sure there’s not any unintended consequences.

“It will be great and it will provide opportunities but we want to make sure we work through all the permutations and combinations that could occur.”

Other changes

There will be more media access to players through a new broadcast policy being introduced. This will see all AFL players in the 23 named from the round prior take part in media duties after the match.

A joint committee will be set up by the AFL and AFLPA to ensure a safe working environment, and player relocation and travel benefits will be equal across players who relocate states for their AFL and AFLW sides. The injury and hardship fund will increase to $60 million (up from $20 million) over the next five years.

A 12 month pregnancy policy will also be implemented to give support and welfare to the soon to be mothers in the league which would start six weeks before a player’s due date. Three year contracts will also be given out to first round draftees, an increase from the previous two.

The new CBA will last for five years.

Photo: Geelong AFLW team by Allied45 is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons licence. This photo has not been modified.