AFLW champion Daisy Pearce expects the competition to thrive as it takes on simultaneous challenges of expansion and bringing next season forward.
Pearce will captain Melbourne in Saturday's grand final against Adelaide but the 33-year-old veteran is unsure whether she will extend her career into season seven, which is increasingly likely to begin in August.
The AFL wants to start the women's competition during the bye week before the men's finals series, carry momentum through September and give the pointy end of the AFLW season clear air on the sporting calendar.
However, there are concerns about the move from within the current 14 AFLW teams as they brace to have their playing stocks raided by newcomers Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney.
"I think it's the right window (for the season) but the challenge will be making it happen with this little runway and with four new teams coming in," Pearce said.
"Every time there's been these moments of growth or change of direction there's been a reluctance and fear that there won't be enough talent and there'll be teething issues.
"But (AFLW) has continued to improve year on year and I'd back it in to do that again."
If approved, the August start will give clubs just four months to prepare themselves for the new season after Saturday's grand final.
There are challenges around the new draft class, with many young players due to sit their high-school exams at the back end of the year when the AFLW season will be in full swing.
There are also concerns for current players, most of whom balance work commitments with their part-time football careers.
"For those that have full-time jobs that they're juggling around their playing commitments, to go back to the well and ask for more favours and more leave is going to be pretty tricky in the same calendar year," Pearce said.
Pearce has stayed loyal to Melbourne throughout her AFLW career but concedes some players will be lured away by rival clubs during the upcoming expansion phase.
"There's always a bit of upheaval and there will be movement, as there is whenever there's expansion, but here's hoping that we keep our core group together at the Dees," Pearce said.
