All-Australian defender Libby Birch says the AFLW player group has been "re-energised" for season seven after receiving a significant pay increase and clarity around the competition structure.
Players faced a period of great uncertainty before AFL officials confirmed in May that the new women's season would be brought forward to August, starting during the men's pre-finals bye.
The decision to play two women's seasons in one calendar year, just four months apart, put a strain on part-time players - many with work, study and family commitments outside of football.
But a new one-year collective bargaining agreement eased the burden somewhat by guaranteeing the average AFLW salary would almost double for season seven.
Top-tier players will be paid $71,935, while the minimum AFLW wage was increased from $20,239 to $39,184.
"Once we had a clear CBA and got the respect of a pay increase and we understood where the season was heading, I think that re-energised us and reinvigorated us," Melbourne's Birch told reporters on Monday.
"Before that, I'd say that we were all a bit tired and thinking that we're just going to have to plot through another season the way it was.
"But then to get the respect from the AFL to say, 'Here, go and play footy and be more than just a part-time athlete' ... I think that really gave us so much hope and pride and excitement.
"It's like, 'Hey, this is cool, we've got two seasons in one year, let's go for it.'
"The more games that we can play, the better."
Melbourne were runners-up to Adelaide in April's grand final and will be aiming to go one step further to claim a maiden AFLW premiership in season seven.
The Demons take on Carlton in a pre-season practice match at the MCG on Saturday as part of a double-header with the AFL men's round 22 clash between the two clubs that night.
Birch was part of the first competitive AFLW match at the MCG in April, when Melbourne beat Brisbane in a preliminary final, and said the venue would make the practice match "feel like a final".
"It's a practice match but it will still feel special because we haven't had many opportunities at the G," Birch said.
"We'd love to have more.
"This is a great opportunity to be out there competing against Carlton before the men's match.
"It's something that I think we'll keep seeing more of because of the timing of the season."
Birch has been named in a four-player Melbourne leadership group for season seven alongside captain Daisy Pearce, vice-captain Kate Hore and midfielder Tyla Hanks.
Pearce will lead the Demons for a sixth season in what is expected to be her last AFLW campaign.
