Footy fans are up in arms over a year-in-summary post from the AFL’s official X account.
AFL media posted a montage photo of some of the biggest moments the game witnessed this year to celebrate the AFL and AFLW seasons that were.
Featured in the image most prominently is Collingwood’s premiership in the men’s competition, followed by Lachie Neale’s Brownlow Medal triumph, Lance Franklin’s farewell around the SCG, Harry Sheezel as the Rising Star winner, and Charlie Curnow, who took out the Coleman Medal.
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It even includes cameos from American rock band KISS, who performed at the men’s grand final, plus fellow singers Robbie Williams, Harry Styles, actress Sydney Sweeney, and Matildas champion Sam Kerr.
But fans were quick to notice the glaring lack of AFLW representation in the photo — there are as many singers in the edit as there are AFLW players.
Retiring AFLW icon Erin Phillips features at the top of the image, while star Brisbane Lions premiership midfielder Sophie Conway is barely visible holding up the cup in the bottom left corner, and AFLW best and fairest winner Monique Conti is just as small in the bottom right corner.
Two-time AFLW premiership coach, Craig Starcevich, who led the Lions to the promised land in 2023, expressed his disappointment in a since-deleted social media post, in response to the AFL’s image.
“From where I sit, it appears we still have a long way to go. This will make some uncomfortable, but we need to keep fighting for a much fairer representation of AFLW, the nation’s biggest women’s sport,” Starvevich wrote before taking the message down.
Others weren’t as forgiving in their blunt messages to the AFL.
“There are more non-sports celebrities in this image than there are AFLW players,” on fan wrote.
“Half the women on here don’t play in the AFLW,” another said.
“I count three AFLW players and three musicians. Seriously, @AFL????? It’s the eighth season and this is the level of respect you show???” a third disgruntled fan added.
There were dozens of similar replies, including: “If they want to make this a dedicated men’s comp thing, so be it. But if you’re including the women, do it properly and intentionally.”
And: “Finding the AFLW premiers is a bit of a Where’s Wally adventure.”
The AFL has been contacted for comment.