The truth about WAGs, from someone who knows better than anyone.

I have been on the outside of the AFL world so I have a pretty realistic idea of how “ WAGs ” are seen. Gold digging, plastic, shallow, materialistic, dumb. Maybe even just promoted groupies?

Therefore, I was not surprised when I first started dating my partner that my anti-footballing friends cringed that I had fallen in love with a player. I understood completely where they were coming from and reassured them that he was not like “all the other players” and I would never be one of those “WAGs”. After going to games and sitting by myself, (keeping clear of that row of WAGs who sat together) I was approached by one. Immediately, she insisted that I never sit alone again and it was made very clear that in this club all the WAGs had each other’s back. Quickly I got to know them and to my shock-horror, I realised I was just like them and the other players were just like my “diamond in the rough.”

Annie and Liam (Image: Instagram)

The fact that I shudder just saying “WAG” shows how negatively it has come to be known. But why should I? After all, it only stands for “wives and girlfriends” (of sport players) and that is what I am… but not all of who I am.

For too long the girlfriends, partners and wives of AFL players have sat back and let the stereotypes, rumours and abuse unfurl, never liking to interfere with our partner’s work life. It is very clear to me that people just do not understand the lives we lead.

You can listen to Annie on Mamamia’s parenting podcast This Glorious Mess-  HERE.

I knew I had about as much as I could take and choked on my imaginary, self-enforced gag order, when I stumbled upon a website that was devoted to the insult and lies of players and also that of their partners. I know I should have just been realistic and passed it off as another fanatical website dedicated to stirring between fans. But, I couldn’t.

Here I stand to set the record straight.

In our club, we have women who are mothers, are self-made business owners, are women with degrees, are students, are women with disabilities, are women that have left their families in another state for their partners big chance in the AFL. Only to name a few. We are making our own way through life and not just standing in the shadows of our partners success or stealing their limelight.

The reality is that we are also the ones that have to nurse these players whilst they vomit from nerves before a game or talk to them when their anxiety creates insomnia. We are the ones that tend to them on the couch for the 6 weeks when they’ve broken their leg and then support them through rehab. We are the ones that do not get to share night feeding of our babies because our boys need all the sleep they can get. We are the ones that adapt to being alone in labour wards, birthdays, weddings, hospitals and family catch ups when our boys have football commitments like playing games, are interstate or on pre-season camps.We are the ones that can’t jump off a bandwagon when the season gets tough. We are the ones that stand by them as their lives are made public like if, god forbid, they let go that once a year and get drunk. And we are the ones that ride the emotional roller coaster with them when they are dropped from the team or delisted.

So we have to make sacrifices for our partners – however, this is not unlike any couple that are in love and trying make a go of things. It would be expected that given the circumstance, this would also be vice versa.

I can see there is going to be harsh criticism just for the fact I have even written this. I’m sure it will be along the lines of “she loves the attention.” Then how are we meant to defend ourselves?

And I can also hear the people saying, “Oh no, you poor girls. It must be hard putting up with all that money and fame.” I’m not even going to enter into the debate about players wages. I know we are fortunate. Nevertheless, there have been many times partners have questioned is it all worth the money when their partner severely injures themselves or we are having to wake them up in the middle of the night when they’ve had concussion or we are having to borne the brunt of the pressures from football. There have been times where I would have given anything not to be a “WAG.” And when that dreaded contract is up it is very common for us partners to be the ones working whilst our partners start over.

Click through for a gallery of some of the best known global WAGs (post continues after gallery):

Alex Davis

Christine Bleakley

Gabriella Lenzi

Irina Shayk

Irina Shayk

Shakira

Alena Seredova

Ann-Kathrin Broemmel

Antonella Roccuzzo

Antonella Roccuzzo

Antonella Roccuzzo

Carla Kompany

Jesinta Campbell

Laia Grassi

Sara Carbonero

Belinda Riverso

Image: Instagram @belriv

Melissa Satta

Megan Gale

Terry Biviano

Ludvine Sagna

Jessie Habermann

David and Victoria Beckham

David and Victoria Beckham share a kiss