Thirty-six AFL and AFLW players from all 18-AFL clubs gathered at the MCG to celebrate the historic milestone. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

The AFL has today celebrated the landmark occasion of 18 AFL and AFLW teams for the first time in its history.

One AFL and AFLW player from each of the 18 AFL Clubs joined AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and AFL General Manager Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone at the MCG to mark the significant milestone.

The 18 Club representatives in attendance were: Chelsea Randall & Brodie Smith (Adelaide Crows), Breanna Koenen & Ryan Lester (Brisbane Lions), Breann Moody & Matthew Kennedy (Carlton), Sarah Rowe & Isaac Quaynor (Collingwood), Bonnie Toogood & Dyson Heppell (Essendon), Hayley Miller & Sam Switkowski (Fremantle), Meg McDonald & Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats), Jamie Stanton & Ben King (Gold Coast SUNS), Alicia Eva & Nick Haynes (GWS Giants), Tamara Luke & Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn), Emma Kearney & Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne), Libby Birch & Ben Brown (Melbourne), Gemma Houghton & Lachie Jones (Port Adelaide), Monique Conti & Tom Lynch (Richmond), Hannah Priest & Paddy Ryder (St Kilda), Montana Ham & Peter Ladhams (Sydney Swans), Ellie Blackburn & Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) and West Coast Eagles (Emma Swanson & Oscar Allen).

Season Seven of the NAB AFL Women’s competition will welcome the addition of four new teams this season - Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and the Sydney Swans.

AFL and AFLW players from all 18 clubs at the MCG on July 21, 2022. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said he was proud to celebrate the completion of an 18-team AFL and AFLW competitions.  

“Today represents a significant milestone in time for Australian Football. For the very first time in our game’s history, we are complete,” Mr McLachlan said.

“I am extremely proud of our players, our clubs, our members and supporters who have all played their part in getting us to this point.

“I’d like to thank and acknowledge the thousands of pioneering female players, coaches and administrators who have worked tirelessly to build opportunities for women and girls to play our game at every level - we wouldn’t be here today without you.”

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AFL General Manager Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the milestone marked a new chapter for women’s football.

“The expansion of the NAB AFLW competition solidifies AFLW as an integral part of the fabric of Australian Football and amplifies our great game as a game for all,” Ms Livingstone said.

“Since its inception in 2017, the NAB AFLW competition has gone from strength to strength with the passion and excitement from our earliest seasons building into a sustainable women’s competition, strong pathways, increased participation numbers, and loyal fans across the country.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Nicole Livingstone, AFL Head of Women's Football speaks to the media during an AFL Media Opportunity at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 21, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

“AFLW has inspired unprecedented growth in participation nationwide which has seen double the amount of women and girls playing our game since its inception.

“We are about a month away from Season Seven of the NAB AFLW Competition, and with it brings an exciting new chapter in the journey of women’s football.”

Round One of Season Seven of the NAB AFLW competition will commence on August 25, with Carlton v Collingwood at IKON Park. To view the full fixture, visit womens.afl