THE AFL Players’ Association will reject the league’s female pay proposal, insisting the $5000 rate for most of its talent is too low.

The AFL had proposed to pay the vast majority of its players $5000, with priority signings and top draft picks to receive $10,000 while the 16 marquees would earn $25,000.

CODE BATTLE: AFL’S BID FOR TOP WOMEN’S TALENT

The AFL said it was providing $1.6 million for player payments in the eight-team national women’s league’s first season.

Players would sign a 22-week contract with pre-season starting in November and the eight-week season kicking off in February.

The figures include superannuation payments.

Players would have to pay for their own health insurance under the proposal.

media_camera Women’s marquee players Daisy Pearce (from left), Ellie Blackburn, Brianna Davey, Emma King, Katie Brennan, Darcy Vescio and Mel Hickey. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The AFL’s male players have a “tools of trade” condition in their contracts which requires their club to provide them with three pairs of boots and two pairs of runners.

The AFL is yet to commit to this provision in the female contracts.

“We are still negotiating the standard playing contract with the AFL and at this point we are some distance apart,” AFLPA chief Paul Marsh told the Herald Sun.

“Having just reached agreement with the AFL on the ambassador contract for the marquee players, we are confident that a fair and reasonable outcome will be achieved.

“These athletes have worked incredibly hard to get to this level and we strongly believe they should be provided with the same opportunities to thrive in the game as the men do.”

media_camera AFL Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh wants a bigger pay day for the women’s game.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan on Wednesday defended the pay scale.

“We’re investing in coaches, conditioning, facilities and starting the league from scratch,” McLachlan said.

“The will build from many millions in year one and will be tens of millions of dollars over the next five years.”

He said women could command fulltime salaries for playing and related football employment in three to five years.