A League of One’s Own: The AFL, and Women’s Sport

For more than two decades, Karen Lyon has covered Melbourne and its sports-obsessed culture. She was a political reporter before crossing the boundary line to sport in 1999, and has been covering the world of sport ever since.

Karen has witnessed some of the world’s biggest sporting events for the Age newspaper, and has been a regular contributor the ABC’s sports coverage over the journey. Football, netball, tennis and cricket are her main sporting loves, but she will watch any contest that brings people together.

As well as continuing to freelance as a journalist, Karen teaches Sport Education and Media at the University of Melbourne – a subject that looks at the influences of commerce and media on sport, and asks: does sport drive equality in our society?

Susan Alberti AC is one of Australia’s pre-eminent philanthropists, having donated millions of dollars to medical research and other charitable causes over her successful business career.

Susan developed a passion for medical research when her only child, Danielle, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the 1980s. Danielle tragically died from the complications arising from the chronic disease. It was at that point that Susan’s lifelong commitment to raise funds for better prevention, treatment and to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes became a dedicated mission. This has led her to focus on medical research more broadly.

Susan was a finalist in the Australian of the Year Award in 1997 and again in 2009. In 1997 she received an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) for her contributions towards the cause of diabetes research. Susan was awarded an AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) on January 2007.

On Australia Day 2016, Susan was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) Award in recognition of her eminent service to the community, particularly through philanthropic and fundraising support for a range of medical research, education and to young women as a role model and mentor.

Susan is a former president of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is chair of the Susan Alberti Medical Research Foundation, retired chair of the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research Foundation, director of the Western Health Foundation, chair of the DANII Foundation, chair of the Victoria University Foundation, retired vice-president of the AFL Western Bulldogs Football Club, director of the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation, retired president of the VFL Footscray Bulldogs, director of the AFL National Women’s League Advisory Group and director of the National Australia Day Council. 

Sam Mostyn has enjoyed a diverse career across business, politics, science and the arts, international development, not-for-profit sector, Indigenous reconciliation and sport. After many years in senior corporate management roles in telecommunications, broadcasting and insurance, Sam now serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Virgin Australia, Transurban, Mirvac, and chairs Citibank Australia.

She is recognised as a sustainability leader, and continues to work across a number of industries and sectors. For the past 4 years, Sam has been the President of the Australian Council for International Development, the peak body for the 130 international aid and development organisations in Australia. Her term concluded in November 2017.

Angela is an award-winning journalist, presenter, documentary-maker, author and MC.

Her most recent documentary, The Record, follows Australia’s dramatic Women’s T20 World Cup campaign and the audacious bid to fill the MCG for the final on International Women’s Day 2020. The two-part documentary premiered globally on Amazon Prime in March 2021, and had a secondary release on ABC TV. Angela co-wrote and co-produced the film. Her next documentary idea is bubbling away.

Angela is a co-host on Broad Radio - a live-streamed radio show by and for women.

She also writes regular columns about sport and culture for a number of publications and is a tireless campaigner for gender equality in sport and society. In fact, her most recent book, Breaking The Mould – Taking a Hammer to Sexism in Sport made the Grattan Institute’s ‘Prime Minister’s Summer Reading list’, The Australia Institute’s ‘Essential Reading List’ and is on its third reprint.

Angela is a proud ambassador of the Adelaide Crows.

Darcy Vescio understands they have a unique platform as a marquee AFLW player with Carlton to further their advocacy work, and provide a voice for those that can’t, in the areas of multiculturalism and gender equality. Growing up in a Chinese Italian family, Darcy has personal background and experiences to draw on when working within multicultural AFL and government supporting education, promotion, and inclusivity. As an openly non-binary athlete, they have become a trail blazer across gender diversity and equality and LGBT+ discussions.

Carlton secured Brianna Davey as one of its marquee players for its inaugural women’s team in 2017.

The 21-year-old began her professional sporting career playing soccer, even making the Matildas national squad as goalkeeper. 

After winning the 2016 W-League championship with Melbourne City, Davey decided to switch codes, making her one of only a handful of female footballers that have played another sport at the highest level.

The versatile defender, who also plays in the midfield, has represented the Bulldogs for the past two years. 

Davey is known for her sure hands and her ability to break away from packs. She can play in a key position role or as a bullocking mid.

Wherever she plays, one thing is for sure: she can blow a game wide open.

There’s no doubt she’s going to be an asset for the Old Dark Navy Blues.