The possibility of a senior women's football league in the south-west is gaining momentum

The region could soon have a senior women’s football league of its own after five successful exhibition matches between South Warrnambool, Portland, Horsham and Mount Gambier.

The Roosters defeated the Tigers by 77 points in the most recent encounter between two women’s senior sides at Friendly Societies’ Park on Sunday. 

South Warrnambool player Sarah Richards said the rapid rise of interest put the onus on AFL Western District.

“We didn’t think everything would happen this fast and there is a couple more teams interested,” she said. “Now it is in the hands of the AFL and waiting to see what they say.”

Women’s football in the region has had two recent success stories with AFLW star Emma Kearney and the recently drafted Georgia Clarke highlighting there is a pathway to the elite level.

The Deakin University Female Football League, which expanded into 10 teams last season, has captured the attention of junior players in the region.

AFL Victoria Western District development manager Alan Thompson, who was at the exhibition match on Sunday, confirmed the governing body was looking into the idea of a senior women’s competition. 

“We are in the process of putting in place some of the requirements to hopefully move forward with the idea of a league,” he said.

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