Katie
Brennan
The captain of the Western Bulldogs AFLW team
(and owner of female-focused gym KB Performance)
took on the AFL after receiving a penalty that forced
her to miss this year’s Grand Final (which her team
went on to win). In the men’s game, this penalty
can be paid with a fine, but because women earn
significantly less than men for the same game, they
cop suspensions instead. After unsuccessfully
appealing to the AFL, Brennan is taking the case
to the Human Rights Commission.“When I was appealing the decision to suspend me from the
Grand Final, I thought a lot about Serena Williams.
She’s someone who has been at the top of her game for
a long time, but more importantly, she’s such a boss. Serenahas been criticised and insulted for pretty much everything:
for being a black woman, outspoken about pay or for
showing off her body. But she never responds with anger.
She’s always graceful. The thing is, you can tell she is angry,
but she uses it for fuel on the court. That’s the best thing an
athlete can do.
I drew strength from Serena, and women like her,
when I was going through my appeal. I wanted it to
be about the game at large, and about women. We’re
trailblazers in this AFL space at the moment, and
we’re doing everything we can to make the game as
great as it can be. When I realised how unfair and
unequal the rules around my penalty were, I knew I had to
make a stand. It’s notjustabout sport. It’s about what’s
right and fair for everyone.”92
Top, $99, COS,
cosstores.com/au; earrings,
$459,BY CHARLOTTE,
bycharlotte.com.au; scarf,
$110,FRANKIE PEACH,
frankiepeach.com“IT’S NOT
JUSTABOUT
SPORT.
IT’S ABOUT
WHAT’S
RIGHT AND
FAIR FOR
EVERYONE”