Pies set bar high in inaugural AFLW season

Jan 30, 2017 - 4:07 AM Collingwood have set the bar high ahead of the inaugural AFL Women's competition, the ambitious Pies already planning a grand final appearance.

The Magpies take on Carlton in the first match of the new women's league at Princes Park on Friday night, with between 10,000 and 20,000 fans expected to turn out to witness the historic event.

Collingwood, along with the seven other AFLW clubs, are plunging into the unknown to a large extent.

But Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman says his team will enter the season with clear goals.

"You can't win a premiership unless you make the grand final, so we're planning to play (in a grand final) in eight weeks time," Siekman said on Monday.

Siekman says his team will have no excuses against the Blues, having come off an excellent preparation and with a full squad of fit players to select from.

"We're on top of the world because ... we've got 27 players to pick from. I don't think there are too many other clubs who could say that," he said.

The match was initially set to be played at the Magpies' home ground at Olympic Park, which holds up to 7000 fans, but was moved amid fears thousands of supporters would be locked out.

The AFLW's inaugural season will run over seven home-and-away rounds with the grand final played on Saturday, March 25, which is the opening weekend of the men's season.

Source: AAP