Fans should expect a "massive" improvement in the standard of play when the second AFLW season gets underway, Carlton skipper Brianna Davey says.
The Blues will kick off the season on Friday night when they face Collingwood in a repeat of last year's sellout at Princes Park.
The inaugural season attracted bumper crowds, strong television ratings and plenty of goodwill from supporters eager to see female footballers finally given the chance to compete at an elite level.
But while the likes of Daisy Pearce, Emma Kearney and best-and-fairest winner Erin Phillips provided plenty of highlights, there was a clear gulf between the marquee stars and other less-seasoned players.
The low scoring in many games was also a talking point. There were six games in which the losing team finished with just one goal to their name, although four of these were in the opening round.
None of this should come as a major surprise given the reduced length of AFLW matches, the inexperience of many players and the fact most were forced to juggle training with other work commitments.
But former Matildas goalkeeper Davey is predicting that with another preseason under their belts, the standard this year will be much higher.
"You'll see a massive difference, I'd say," she told RSN radio on Monday.
"Already, our list has improved from last year quite a lot. The talent of the girls has also improved, and the improvement has been massive in what I've seen.
"Knowing a couple of the girls from other teams, I'm hearing pretty positive things about their girls, too.
"Considering how many girls have now jumped on AFL and are playing it, and how many girls are loving it, I think we're going to continue to see an increase in the talent of the league and an improvement in the standard."
AFLW players secured an improved pay deal to better reflect their time spent training.
The AFL Players Association intends to pursue a new agreement in 2019 when North Melbourne and Geelong field teams for the first time.
Admission to games will remain free this season but that is likely to be revisited next year.
