North Melbourne's Emma Humphries can't wait to officially start pre-season ahead of the 2020 AFLW season after her fellow players gave the new collective bargaining agreement a resounding tick of approval.
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Following plenty of negotiations and an original vote that failed to obtain the 75 per cent majority required, some doubt had been cast over the competition's future.
But the AFL Players' Association announced on Monday that a second vote had secured 98 per cent support thanks to a number of improved parts in the deal.
Humphries, and fellow Coastal Kangaroos, Chloe and Libby Haines, and Britt Gibson, along with Western Bulldogs' Ellyse Gamble can all now begin their preparations in earnest, although the 24-year-old said she had little reason to doubt that the agreement wouldn't go through.
"I think it's more excitement that we can actually get started now more so than a relief," Humphries said.
"We were guessing what the date might be anyway, so now its confirmed we can get everything sorted.
"It never came across my mind that it wouldn't happen, it was more like we could be starting a bit later than we might have thought.
"Once the previous deal got knocked back and the players' association went back to the AFL, there was a lot more confidence going into this vote that it would come together.
"We (in Tasmania) had really good communication from all parties, so I wouldn't say we were out of the loop down here."
It never came across my mind that it wouldn't happen, it was more like we could be starting a bit later than we might have thought.
- North Melbourne AFLW player Emma Humphries
After an off-season that saw her undergo a shoulder reconstruction, Humphries herself is trying to hold herself back before the Kangaroos's official pre-season start for the Tasmanian group on November 25.
"I say I'll be right for the start of pre-season but the medical staff seem to be a bit more sceptical," Humphries admitted.
"It's been tough just watching everyone and I could start now but I think it's more wise to ease into it - I'm at the stage now where I can do light contact stuff and grappling.
"Gaining confidence is the big thing now but I don't think I've had that problem before."