AFL boss Andrew Dillon didn't rule out a new start date for the 2025 women's season as the competition continues to expand.
As its stood in recent years, the AFLW begins in the pre-finals bye of the men's competition, aligning itself with the excitement of September football brimming around the nation.
The AFLW is expected to expand to 12 games (from 11 matches this season) in 2025, which will all but for certain bring the season forward.
"I think next year as it goes to 12 it will necessitate us bringing the season forward and into the men's (home-and-away) season," Dillon said on Fox Footy'sย AFL 360.
"Then the conversation will be (about) how much earlier do we bring it forward and when do we want to finish the season?
"We still want to be playing through October and November, I think that's really important for us. It's just when we start and trying to get that right.
"We've already been speaking to the players about their views on how they've gone with the compression this year and how it might look for next year."
There's been reports that the start date could coincide with the men's Round 18 or 21 weekends, but it is something that Dillon and his team are still working through.
"I'm not ruling that out, but we just need to work through it," Dillon said.
"What we saw when we had round one (during the men's pre-finals bye), the TV ratings and the number of people watching those games was the highest we've had by a fair way.
"So finding time for W to have its ability to shine and get those primetime slots is really important."
Bringing the fixture forward in the women's season would likely see more weekday fixtures, something that has been brought into the current campaign for the first time.
AFL EGM Laura Kane said she was for the standalone matches but there was plenty to work through.
"The (fixture) compression has been really interesting," Kane said, according toย AFL Media.
"I have personally loved watching football every single night. It feels like something like 27 of 32 nights or days there's AFLW footy on.
"I've loved the Tuesday night games, tuning in on the couch or going out if the games are local to me. We're really pleased with the game, and we know that there is so much growth ahead of us.
"I think there's a movement in women's sport that everyone's excited about, and that's something that we will continue to work on, push and get more people, more eyeballs.
"Growth is our next frontier. I love AFLW and I know it will continue to grow."
