- The Bombers-Bulldogs clash on Friday night produced just three goals
- Jones says women’s football competition is now at ‘crisis point’
Channel Nine Footy Show presenter Tony Jones has called for big changes to women’s football, calling some of the weekend’s AFLW games “diabolical and almost unwatchable”.
Friday night’s clash between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs was a depressing sight for fans and has received plenty of criticism.
In an error-riddled game, the Dogs became the first AFLW team to be held scoreless three times in a season and recorded their lowest score for the second game in a row, after recording just four points against the Kangaroos last Saturday .
It joins other very low-scoring competitions in the league, which Jones says is now at a “crisis point.”
“The AFL is at a crisis point; they need to act and show they are fair in supporting the AFLW,” he said in Mornings 3AW.
“Some of those games over the weekend, certainly with the Western Bulldogs, have been just diabolical and almost unwatchable.”
Jones went on to add that the Bulldogs coach had not apologized for the team’s performance in the game, which had attracted about 4,000 spectators.
Jones and 3AW presenter Tom Elliott continued to discuss the condensed fixture period, which has seen 11 games for each club in just 10 weeks, leaving players mentally and physically exhausted.
Tony Jones (pictured) has called for changes to women’s football, calling some AFLW matches over the weekend “diabolical and almost unwatchable”.
The AFLW has come under fire following Friday night’s dismal match between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon (pictured) in which the Dogs only scored three points.
Condensed matches also leave fans confused about where and when the team they support will play next.
Other football experts also criticized Friday night’s terrible display.
Sports journalist Eliza Reilly posted on 2/3 goals in a match from 50-meter penalties, right? A condensed game, defensive tactics or a combination of both, it was a tough watch.”
News Corp’s Lauren Wood said: “Both teams have finished their condensed period of matches but we are now officially at the end, let’s not do it again please and thank you.”
‘Four games in 14 days equals this in prime time. Extras behind, exhausted players. Not much, thank you.’
Players have been left mentally and physically exhausted due to the condensed match period.
AFL journalist Ronny Lerner was more critical of the spectacle, calling it “absolutely deplorable”.
“Essendon coach Natalie Wood and Bulldogs coach Tamara Hyatt owe their club fans, AFLW fans and women’s football as a whole an apology for these tactics,” Lerner wrote.
‘This is a real blow for the sport. An absolutely deplorable spectacle.