AFLW player fatigue a concern for AFLPA as it pushes for full-time professionalism

The exhaustion AFLW players are suffering this COVID-affected season is obvious.

Fixture crunches, a lack of match preparation, coronavirus breakouts and travel hubs have all taken a toll on the playing group, most of whom also have to work a regular job. 

Join Sam Lane and Sharni Norder as they talk all things AFLW in a podcast that is equal parts insight, raw honesty and general madness.

AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) chief executive Paul Marsh — who has been conducting club visits all season — said the exhaustion experienced by some players had reached a dangerous level.

«We've had players talking about — on their way home from the airport at one or two o'clock in the morning after a game — falling asleep on the freeway and having to pull over,» Marsh told The W with Sharni and Sam podcast.

«We've had a player … doing it really tough in a club visit and a few days later [she] did an ACL.

»I think when you throw work and football together … it's too much.

«It's been too difficult this year.»

The looming prospect of the next season starting in August this year casts a shadow over all of the AFLPA's concerns.

Collingwood star Chloe Molloy is at least one AFLW player who does not support an August start later this year.

Are the players going to be able to back up so quickly after such a draining season?

«Ourselves and the AFL both have a view that that's the right time to play the AFLW competition,» Marsh said.

«There's a lot of work to be done between now and then for us to be comfortable with it being this season.

Kate O'Halloran speaks to the experts on why AFLW players are sustaining injuries at higher rates than men.

»A lot of the players now are as tired as I've seen any athletes … I'm sure there are players making their