From ABC Sport.  Reported by Marnie Vinall

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Some VFL women's players say they feel undervalued in the wake of their player payments being cut for the 2025 season. (Getty: Josh Chadwick)

In short:

Port Melbourne VFL women's players were told this week their pay would be completely cut following a budget review of the women's program.

A club source at Essendon said the club was also stopping match payments to its VFLW players.

Players said it was sad to see the de-prioritisation of women's programs across the VFL landscape.

abc.net.au/news/vflw-programs-cut-player-payments-2025-season/104953868

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Port Melbourne VFLW players have been left "frustrated" and "disappointed" after their payments were cut by the club for the 2025 season, including contracted players.

On Monday night, players were brought into a meeting with the club CEO and two board members, who told the group they won't be getting paid this year after the decision was made to cut the budget for the women's program.

Players said it's a reflection of de-prioritisation of women's football across the VFL landscape.

This week, Essendon VFLW players were also informed by their club they would no longer be receiving match payments for this season, previously a standard $70, according to a club source.

The justification given to Port Melbourne players was two-fold: the women's team didn't have a major sponsor for this year, and the money for the program would be better spent creating a professional environment.

Previously the club has used almost all of the salary cap during the year on player payments, including base and match payments, which could range from $25 to $100 a game, a player told ABC Sport.

VFLW standalone clubs have a salary cap of $40,000, which is $30,000 for AFLW-aligned clubs.

Port Melbourne won the premiership in VFLW premiership in 2023. (Josh Chadwick: Getty/AFL Photos)

Each player is also required to get at least one player sponsor, with that money going directly to the women's program.

Players told ABC Sport they were told any major sponsor brought on would have to be a club sponsor, rather than exclusive to the women's program, while the men had their own sponsor following an already-agreed-upon deal.

While one player told ABC the payments weren't obviously anyone's main form of income, the pay helped with tax purposes, including claiming boots and travel to and from training.

'Feeling a bit undervalued'

"[We're] pretty flat, a bit angry and frustrated. A lot of it also came with the fact that, we went in thinking that if we were going to get our whole pay cut, the men would get a bit of a cut, but they said that they weren't touching the men's pay… [So, ] just feeling a bit undervalued," one player* told ABC Sport.

The men's side recently signed former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell on a two-year contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons in a dual role as player and community ambassador, former Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney as senior coach, and Essendon great James Hird in a director of coaching role.

Furthermore, the Herald Sun reported Channel 7 is set to broadcast VFL games on Saturday night, moving from Sunday afternoon to the prime-time slot of 7pm on 7mate, with Port Melbourne's North Port Oval the potential singular venue used after the ground had its lights upgraded to broadcast quality three years ago.

Port Melbourne and Essendon players say player match payments have been cut for the 2025 season.  (Getty: Josh Chadwick)

"It's hard when that feels like a juxtaposition with what we're being provided, and then what's being said," the player said, who felt the club overall was very supportive of the women's program but some board decisions didn't align with this.

Tasmania willl play some exhibition games this year against opposition from different states including some VFL and VFLW teams ahead of their likely  arrivial in VFL and VFLW next year.

I'd just quickly like to pass on my best Christmas / Holiday wishes to you all.

2025 is shaping up as another challenging year for the standalone clubs, and we are one step closer to knowing how the VFA/VFL will continue on in the following years as we close in on the 150th year celebrations in 2027.

From the VFL.COM.AU official website.

The 2025 season dates for the Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW competitions have been confirmed.

The 2025 Smithy’s VFL season will commence the weekend of March 22-23, which will again align with Round 2 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

From AFL.COM.AU

Port Melbourne has made the first major move of the off-season, with the Borough signing former Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell for the next two years.

1 day ago

Dyson Heppell runs out for his final AFL match in the Round 24 clash between Essendon and the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos