AFL National Women's League

Mrs POWER (Elder) (15:30): What a day Sunday was for sport in our state! The Adelaide Crows romped to a 54-point victory against Carlton at our beloved Adelaide Oval and attendance records in women's sports were broken. It is a win for all South Australians, a win for women's sport and a win for women.

Firstly, I extend huge congratulations to the Adelaide Crows on their amazing 2019 AFLW grand final victory. I also stand here today to acknowledge the league's importance in growing grassroots participation in women's football and providing incredible role models for the next generation of players.

Not only have the Adelaide Crows won the grand final twice in the first three years of the women's league Erin Phillips, Adelaide Crows co-captain, also won her second AFLW grand final best on ground medal, even after she suffered an ACL injury in the third quarter. This year, Ms Phillips also becomes the first multiple winner of the AFLW Players' Most Valuable Player Award after receiving that honour in 2017. I congratulate Ms Phillips on her outstanding achievements and I know everyone in this place wishes her a full recovery.

I also congratulate the Adelaide Crows co-captain, Chelsea Randall, who was named the AFLW's most courageous player for the third consecutive season. It makes her the only recipient of the award since the competition began. What outstanding role models we have in not only the co-captains but all the AFLW players! These women, leading the sport, are paving the way for female football players at all levels. With the outstanding support seen by crowds on Sunday, I look forward to female football being elevated amongst sporting codes. Indeed, I hope the community support continues to grow for women's sport of all codes, helping to create more professional pathways for women in sport.

I am so pleased that young girls today can say, 'When I grow up, I want to play in the AFLW. I want to play in front of a stadium full of people.' As little as four years ago, this was not even a possibility for women. Only boys could dare to dream this dream. No doubt, it was a dream for many but it was still a reality for some boys. For girls, the reality was none.

More than 53,000 people streamed through the gates at Adelaide Oval to watch the best of the best in the women's AFL on Sunday. More than 53,000 people had the chance not only to enjoy a spectacular game of footy, cheer on their local team and soak up the grand final atmosphere but also to support women in sport.

This year, we are celebrating 125 years of women's suffrage in South Australia, marking 125 years since women in our state gained the right to vote in general elections and stand for parliament for the first time anywhere in Australia. Today in South Australia, we are celebrating the largest ever attendance at a women's sporting game in Australian history. The crowd of 53,034 was also the sixth largest crowd ever at Adelaide Oval for an AFL game. This is something to be proud of as a state and a leader in our country.

Congratulations again to the Adelaide Crows and we look forward to seeing all the talented players throughout the league taking to the field in the years to come. Importantly, I look forward to the ripple effect playing out in our state and our country as we embrace gender equality, not only at work and in the boardrooms but also in the sporting arena.