TABLE SCRAPS - THE AFL'S WOMEN PROBLEM

HOSTED BY RACHEL WITHERS, GUESTS THIS MONTH ARE MITCH BROWN, MARNIE VINALL, TARANG CHAWLA, AND A SPECIAL GUEST TO BE ANNOUNCED

Table Scraps is in between Q&A, and an on stage dinner party. A moderated series of conversations around a specific theme each month, featuring one host/moderator, and four guests. The guests are all from four different parts of the same industry/world, with either similar or opposing views. On the stage is a long dinner table, with the host/moderator in the middle, flanked by 2 guests, with the other 2 guests at opposite ends of the table.

Each topic of conversation is represented by a different course, (Apéritif (local interest topic, light, cheerful), Entree (National interest story), Main (Major topic, global potential), Dessert (Short and sharp lighter common interest topic), and Coffee and Port (Audience topic suggestions).



The AFLM has a woman problem.

The football world has once again been rocked by allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women, with five Sydney Swans players suspended after being linked to a police investigation into an incident at a Melbourne hotel.

Some may have hoped this kind of behaviour was a thing of the past, with clubs having invested time and money into respect initiatives — though clearly not enough. For others it comes as no surprise, given the culture of sexism and entitlement that has long pervaded elite male sporting competitions. The AFLW continues to grow in popularity, but the traditional "boys club" mentality persists in the wider industry, with deep cultural challenges to be solved.

Why is this problem so entrenched? How should the AFL handle allegations of violence against women, and improve respect towards women more broadly? And when will we as a society confront the culture of entitlement that leads to such behaviour and attitudes?