Stevenson said three of the companies are not existing sponsors of the Dogs. The proposition of being meaningfully attached to women's AFL football, he added, makes compelling financial sense. Emma King of the Bulldogs wins the tap over Tayla Harris of the Demons during an exhibition match in season 2015. Credit:Getty Images "One of the interesting statistics that we've looked at is that 70 per cent of household decisions are made by a woman," Stevenson said. "You educate these companies around some of the tv viewership, participation and growth in the sport figures, and all of a sudden their ears are a lot more open to this opportunity. "And I think a key point with the existing sponsor is it's not about reallocating money, we're talking about additional money."

Stevenson was among the crowd of AFL and club bosses at a women in football breakfast hosted by Bulldogs vice-president, philanthropist and major sponsor of female football, Susan Alberti, on Friday morning. AFL Commission head Mike Fitzpatrick, new commissioner Gabrielle Trainor, and a host of other football directors, executives and notables were present. AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan discussed the crucial matter of sponsorship for a league almost certainly to begin with eight teams – effectively new female branches of existing men's AFL entities – from 2017. "I think that, actually, people are going to surprised about how many companies [are interested] who ordinarily wouldn't want to be involved with our game, or who haven't been historically. "But because they support gender equality, and because they support women's sport and women's participation, they're going to become involved," he said.

"This will make business sense for our clubs. and for our industry beyond being an elite opportunity and aspiration for women all around the country." Another club committed to applying for a women's team licence said on Friday it was crucial to have a competition format and – in particular – plans for the broadcasting of the women's matches to take to sponsors. Simply, the club said the more television exposure they could guarantee the more investment for women's football they stood to command. The proposed competition format for the first season of the women's competition, financial models and club application process will be presented to the AFL Commission later this month. Eight teams - four in Victoria, one in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia – is being recommended. Port Adelaide has officially stated it will not bid for a licence in the inaugural season of the women's league. 2016 AFL women's exhibition series