Collingwood coach Chloe McMillan discusses merit of WAFLW reserves competition, VFLW-amateur feeder model

The VFLW represents the perfect model for how a State league women’s football competition can operate without a reserves grade but Collingwood coach Chloe McMillan concedes there would be benefits to a subordinate side. The WAFLW community is currently awaiting a decision on whether the WAFC board will ratify a recommendation to scrap the reserves grade next season. The move would force an oversupply of WAFLW players, forcing many to play amateur football instead. But while the idea seems far-fetched for WAFLW fringe players, the model has successfully operated in Victoria for years. MORE WAFLW NEWS: VFLW clubs, including minor premiers Collingwood, have around 30-35 listed players and those who don’t earn selection play for one of the several amateur competitions – including the Victorian Amateur Football Association. Sitting between AFLW and community football, McMillan said there was precedent the WAFLW could follow in abolishing the reserves league but the amateur feeder model does come with its challenges. “It’s been the norm in Victoria for years. We don’t know any different,” the VFLW coach of the year said. “It’s hard at times to judge and align how that form stacks up at amateur level and if they can come in and play at that standard. “This year we had a good season results-wise so it was hard to get all of the players to see senior match time and the opportunities I would’ve loved them to have. “There were a high amount of girls stuck playing local footy week in, week out because our VFL team was playing so well and gelled. “When opportunities did arise, the girls were usually up to it and if they weren’t they weren’t too far off the standard.” As for whether McMillan would support a reserves competition at VFLW level, she said resourcing would be crucial. “It would take a few years to get right. As most people would know, the time and investment spent to get even the VFL program right at each club is a hard enough task,” she said. “Having enough resources for a second team would take time to develop but I think you can see merit in it for sure. In saying that, we’ve never had it so it’s hard to say. “The biggest thing is providing opportunities for females to keep playing. Whether that’s at amateur level or a VFL reserves team, the more chances the better. “It would also open up more opportunities for coaches, club administrative staff, medical staff. There are certainly positives there but it would need to be invested in heavily and built the right way from the ground up.”