THE AFL has ruled out the prospect of putting the names of players on the back of guernseys for the inaugural NAB AFL Women's competition.
However, the League has left the door open for the initiative to be explored for the AFLW competition in future seasons as it looks to boost the profile of players.
AFL game and market development manager Simon Lethlean said it would be too difficult, from a logistical point of view, to organise names on guernseys for 2017.
"The short answer is that it won't be this year. The uniforms have just landed and the competition starts next Friday," Lethlean told AFL.com.au.
The Cotton On Group was confirmed as the official apparel partner of the AFLW competition in an agreement reached in November.
Key players were involved in the design of the new-look uniforms and might have a role in providing further feedback next season on the look and feel of what they’ll be wearing.
The League trialled names on the back of guernseys in the men's competition in 2014.
"The feedback was that the [names] were too small, weren't very legible and didn't really work on our jumpers."
The lack of space available on guernseys was a also a major area of concern, with the AFL parking the idea.
However, Lethlean said a review into the eight-week AFLW competition would be held following its completion, with all aspects to be examined.
"It might be that (names on guernseys) are thought to be a good idea," he said.
"It's an idea worth contemplating, but it hasn't so far found its way in."
Marquee players Daisy Pearce from Melbourne and Moana Hope from Collingwood are among a handful AFLW players with a high profile, however the majority are less familiar or still unknown to fans.
"Names on jumpers does have some merit as we want to continue to look at ways for people to get to know the players," Lethlean said.
"If we do look at something like that then we want the names to be identifiable."
Meanwhile, Lethlean said the AFL was content with the two-year broadcast agreement it had struck with Foxtel and Channel Seven for the AFLW competition.
Under the deal, Fox Footy will show the 28 AFLW home and away games live, while the Seven Network will broadcast one game on Saturday night every week, plus the Grand Final.
Lethlean said the League would consider expanding the competition before negotiating future broadcast deals in the future.
"The agreement gives us a bit of certainty for the next couple of years," he said.