AFLW athletes juggle medical and zoo jobs to make ends meet
AFLW players Caitlin Reid and Emily Pease balance professional football with demanding day jobs in surgery and zoo work as many athletes earn insufficient wages.
Many AFLW athletes must maintain secondary employment because league wages are modest, averaging $79,414 in 2026. Surgical registrar Caitlin Reid begins her day training as a ruck before her shift at St Vincent's Hospital, often working six to seven days a week and sacrificing vacation time. Emily Pease, a Giants winger, alternates between football commitments and greeting visitors at Taronga Zoo, where most colleagues are unaware of her sporting role.
AFL Players Association figures reveal that only 3% of players hold full-time jobs outside football, while 62% juggle part-time or casual work. Both players say their off-field jobs provide mental relief and a sense of purpose beyond the field. The upcoming AFLW season opens with a match between St Kilda and Carlton at Docklands Stadium.
Why it matters
It highlights the financial challenges female athletes face, prompting discussion on pay equity in professional sports.
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