AFLW Pregnancy Policy Under Scrutiny After Star Player's Delisting
Channel 7 football expert Kate McCarthy has called for significant reforms to AFLW list management rules, advocating that clubs should be granted concessions for players who become pregnant or take maternity leave. This urgent plea follows the controversial delisting of former Carlton captain Kerryn Peterson, a three-time All-Australian and one of the Blues' greatest women's players, just months after she gave birth.
Brutal Decision Highlights Systemic Issue
Peterson, aged thirty-three, captained Carlton for six consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2024, relinquishing the role only when she commenced maternity leave in February last year. After welcoming her son in August, she was placed on the inactive list for the 2025 season with intentions to resume her career in 2026. However, in a ruthless move, Carlton informed her that her contract would not be renewed, thrusting the AFL's pregnancy policy into the spotlight.
McCarthy expressed understanding of Carlton's business-driven decision but emphasized the need for protective mechanisms. "The big sticking point is the list size," she stated at Seven's AFL launch. "With only thirty players on a list, it's incredibly difficult for clubs to take a chance on someone returning from maternity leave. Yet, there's no excuse for not safeguarding that individual."
Proposed Solutions for Player Protection
McCarthy, an inaugural AFLW All-Australian with forty-two games across Brisbane, St Kilda, and Hawthorn, proposed expanding list sizes to accommodate players on maternity leave. "The list size needs to increase to allow for an additional player if someone returning from pregnancy isn't ready in time," she explained. "Clubs operate as businesses; if they can't select a player due to maternity issues, they won't take the risk unless they strongly support that player. I don't blame Carlton, but it's concerning that we encourage women to play football, yet they risk losing their spot for having a child."
She highlighted a broader societal issue, noting that many women, including athletes, delay pregnancy due to career pressures. "This extends beyond football to women in all careers," McCarthy added. "Men often don't face this conscious choice because they don't have to pause their careers for nine months or more. It's a widespread conversation affecting women's lives."
Call for Policy Alignment with Injury Protocols
McCarthy urged the AFL to implement a system similar to injury protocols, where clubs can add top-up players. "If a player suffers a long-term injury, clubs can add replacements before the season starts—why not for pregnancy or maternity leave?" she questioned. This change, she argued, would provide clubs with a practical lever to support players considering motherhood without jeopardizing their professional futures.
The case of Kerryn Peterson underscores the urgent need for policy evolution in women's sports, ensuring that athletic careers and family planning are not mutually exclusive.
