Monday, 18 February 2019:
 | | AFLW head of football NICOLE LIVINGSTONE speaks during a North Melbourne Kangaroos AFLW Media Opportunity at Arden Street Ground in Melbourne, Australia. | |
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AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone has backed the controversial new conference system, saying the two ladders should become more balanced in the next few weeks.
Critics have slammed this season's setup, with two conferences of five teams apiece.
Conference A is clearly much stronger than B after three rounds, meaning a skewed competition so far.
The top two teams from the two ladders progress to the finals, meaning the third - or even fourth-placed team in A could miss out despite having had a better season than the finalists from B.
Adelaide, the fourth-placed team in A, have a 2-1 record and a percentage of 141.4.
Carlton lead B with a 1-2 record and a percentage of only 86.2.
Asked if she has concerns about how the two conferences are performing, Livingstone replied: "If this was the last round I would say 'yes' - but it's not the last round.
"I have a comfortability that things will swing in terms of the way the conferences look."
Each team plays four games within their own conference, plus three against the other half of the league.
"In the next couple of rounds, we have a lot of in-conference games," she said.
"We believe that will change the way this ladder looks, particularly conference B.
"But clearly, conference A is powering along - I feel like in conference B, particularly Carlton, they're starting to find their form."
Livingstone also noted that Conference B teams GWS and Brisbane only have one win between them.
"If you had told me that going into round four, that GWS and Brisbane would be positioned where they are ... I would say 'get out of town'," she said.
Livingstone pointed to the ongoing unpredictability of the AFLW as a drawcard, plus the notable increase in scoring so far this season.
"It has been an excellent start to season three - clearly, from a scoreline point of view, we have teams really highly-functioning," she said.
"It is unpredictable and couple that now with having a conference system, (that) we believe in, it's gotten people talking.
"It's getting people out of their comfort zones, to actually think about two separate ladders."
Livingstone also noted the AFLW's competition committee would review all aspects of the season by April.
Asked if the AFLW is taking note of the BBL's growing pains this summer, she said they look at a wide range of sports.
"We look at all sports, we also look overseas," Livingstone said.
"We do more than just look at our competitors domestically. We have dialogue with all the sports, because we are all challenged by the same things.
"Together, we are strong.
"If any of us stumble, it's a ripple effect for all of us."
