congratulations andrew

[Bubbula]

bub, many blokes come off the footy field each week with injuries [ unfortunately some with broken legs ] but i dont think they point the finger at the AFL and say 'your fault'. forget all the arguements about if females can or cannot , should or should not play against males. that is not the issue. these kids want to play a sport [ aussie football ] and the AFL is stopping them purely on a gender and age issue, and that is what is wrong.

ok, so lets say they go on to play under 15's, 16's even... Whats going to happen when they come to under 18s and mens league where they really will get hurt.. Alls the AFL is doing is preventing the inevitable. we all have our opinion on this and I know that when my little girl is 14 or 15 I wont want her playing growing males no matter what she says

[JAS]

I'm with Punky and rod_rooster on this. Might be ok for men and women to play mixed doubles at tennis but in a contact sport it's crazy. Not saying women/girls shouldn't play if they want to but should be in a womens/girls league...same as the other field sports. As far as I know you don't have mixed soccer teams or hockey or netball. Sounds more like would be an attempt at equality for equality's sake.

Regards
JAS

[Bubbula]

I'm with Punky and rod_rooster on this. Might be ok for men and women to play mixed doubles at tennis but in a contact sport it's crazy. Not saying women/girls shouldn't play if they want to but should be in a womens/girls league...same as the other field sports. As far as I know you don't have mixed soccer teams or hockey or netball. Sounds more like would be an attempt at equality for equality's sake.

Regards
JAS

exactly right mate, exactly right

[old moz]

JAS. yes there are women's leagues but the AFL is virtually saying to these girls at age 13/15 to go play at an open age grade. we don't ask boys to do the same [ admittedly in a few circumstances this does happen but it is not the norm ]. if equality for equalities sake mean a fair go for all kids to play their game of choice regardless of age or sex then i plead guilty.

[Bubbula]

JAS. yes there are women's leagues but the AFL is virtually saying to these girls at age 13/15 to go play at an open age grade. we don't ask boys to do the same [ admittedly in a few circumstances this does happen but it is not the norm ]. if equality for equalities sake mean a fair go for all kids to play their game of choice regardless of age or sex then i plead guilty.

from your theory we should let GIRLS play as long as they want in mens leagues.. Think about it... If Byron Pickett at the age of 18 was to lay a great hip&shoulder on a chick do you think they would get up or come back and play.. I dont think so.. This is what the AFL is looking out for.. Whilst they are trying to promote women in the game they dont want them being brutalised for the sake of equality. In the case of mentality: equal... in the case of brute force and talent: Men will always hold the Ace

Hypothetically, think of this. What if a boy wanted to play for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and had to go through the girls ranks in juniors. This would be seen as immoral and unfair straight away. And would this be regarded sexest... I doubt it..

[JAS]

JAS. yes there are women's leagues but the AFL is virtually saying to these girls at age 13/15 to go play at an open age grade. we don't ask boys to do the same [ admittedly in a few circumstances this does happen but it is not the norm ]. if equality for equalities sake mean a fair go for all kids to play their game of choice regardless of age or sex then i plead guilty.

Don't get me wrong I think all kids should have the opportunity to play any sport and I will always encourage that. I also believe that game rules and grading/league systems should be applied equally, unless there is a very good reason to change that ie medical grounds due to physical differences etc. What I don't agree with is males and females competing in teams against each other or in mixed teams at any age level.

I think you could end up with either some potentially serious injuries, mainly to the females, due to the physical diferences or you'll have males not playing to their potential because they are worried about injuring the female players. Just my opinion and in case anyone thinks I'm having a go at the women...I am one

Regards
JAS

[Bubbula]

2001, my twin brother and i played against 2(michelle and amy I think there names were) females in a rugby league game. one of them were in the SA State(boys) under 16's side. Amy had her jaw broken in the first 20 minutes and Michelle suffered a broken fore-arm 3 rounds later.

Both these girls were warned of the risks and encouraged to play aussie rules football and both ensisted they could stick it out with the boys. I speak nothing but the thruth here. Ring the Port Adelaide Cougars Rugby league club for confirmation.