The AFL industry will come together as a collective voice across Round 8 in all nine matches to stand against the national crisis of gender-based violence in Australia.
Clubs, players, coaches, umpires and administration will pay tribute to the women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence as statistics indicate one female in every four days is brutally killed - a significantly higher rate than in recent years.
Ahead of the start of each match, players, senior coaches and umpires will come together in the centre of the ground to form a linked circle and pay a silent tribute to those women who have lost their lives.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the industry had an opportunity to make a strong stand and bring awareness to gender-based violence in Australia.
“When it comes to violence against women, the only acceptable figure is zero,” said Mr Dillon.
“This weekend we will unite and remember all the women who have been killed as a result of gender-based violence and stand in solidarity in committing to do more to stop this community-wide problem.
“We also understand our industry still has work to do, but we are committed to continuing to educate, to take action and even more conscious of that we must work harder than ever. All men are responsible for doing better.
“I want thank our clubs, players, umpires and the wider industry for coming together to highlight an issue that needs serious attention.”
The move comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for a snap national cabinet meeting about violence against women on Wednesday and has pledged to invest almost $1 billion in a 'leaving violence' payment for women.
Mr Albanese attended a march calling for action against violence against women in Canberra on the weekend.
AFL EGM of Social Policy and Inclusion Tanya Hosch said: “The AFL is fortunate to have a national platform to be able to take a stand and contribute to driving cultural change in our game.
“This year alone there have been 29 women murdered in acts of gendered-based violence and we have a collective responsibility as a sporting code to call it out and say, you can prevent violence against women, against your daughters, mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues.
“One woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner. One in four women has experienced physical violence at the hands of a current and former partner and this does not include all the other physical and emotional abuse that is happening.
“Everyone needs to be a part of the change, we all have a role to play, change is not going to happen overnight but it is time for us to all be part of the solution.”
West Coast CEO Don Pyke flagged a potential tribute earlier in the week to the AFL, penning a letter to Dillon and Laura Kane, which received tremendous support from all other clubs.
Pyke said: “Seeing the tragic events of late last week in WA, and then the marches across the country over the weekend had me thinking our national game needs to do something, and if not now, when?
“We represent a game for all-Australian's and the community are our members and fans. Violence against women is a massive community issue and so we need to shine a light on this to ensure we help to find solutions.
“I reached out to the club CEOs and was encouraged that everyone offered up support and immediately replied yes, let's do something as a collective.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae and Essendon coach Brad Scott praised Pyke's initiative to come forward with a proposed idea of how to commemorate those women whose lives were lost to domestic violence.
The first game of Round 8 begins tonight in South Australia for Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide.