AFLW star Daisy Pearce has revealed she has noticed situations where the umpiring in AFLW has been softened in comparison to the AFL, due to the fact that it is women playing and not men.

Pearce alluded to the physicality in the game, stating that in some instances, AFLW umpires penalise physicality that would be celebrated and rewarded in the men’s game.

It comes after basketball star Liz Cambage criticised WNBA officals for the same thing.

SEN Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson can be heard Monday-Friday 6-9am, and you can subscribe to the podcast here.

“The thing I found most interesting about her (Liz Cambage) comments, were Liz’s comments about referees trying to supress the physicality and competitiveness of WNBA games,” Pearce told SEN Breakfast.

“Her showing of emotion and physicality were trying to be pushed out of her and maybe not as accepted in the women’s game.

“I have noticed in AFLW a few times, it’s crossed my mind that, I thought you paid that free kick because we’re girls, we’re being umpired like girls.

“A really fair bump that wipes someone out, fair not high, just physical.

“I still think that some umpires that haven’t spent a lot of time umpiring women’s footy, find that confronting, and pay a free kick on the basis of ‘ooh that poor girl’.

“I don’t think it’s right but I can understand why it will take time for people to change that view.

“The physicality of the sport is something that we love about it and it should be umpired within the same rules.”

WIN 2018 AFL Grand Final tickets and MORE!

Pick the total combined possessions for Round 18 - Eric Hipwood (BRI), Tom Hawkins (GEE), Max Gawn (MEL), Luke Shuey (WCE) & Tom Rockliff (PA). Eg.: 123

Enter below: