Katie Lynch wants AFL to harness the momentum of Pride Round

Gold Coast Suns defender Katie Lynch wants the AFL to harness the momentum of AFLW Pride Round and carry it across the whole code.

The All-Australian told ABC Sport a different energy comes into the competition on Pride Round, and she wants that feeling shared beyond the women's league, ABC News reported on October 8.

Lynch said a Pride Round in the men's AFL competition would be awesome to see. She called for the movement to be transferred across the entire AFL code, not just the men's teams but all club staff and fans.

Pride Round is the AFLW's dedicated celebration of inclusion and diversity. The league-wide round was introduced in 2021 and is held annually to honour the contribution of the LGBTQ+ community to the game.

The AFL says the round celebrates LGBTQI+ people who helped build women's football and continue to shape it, according to the league's Pride hub. In 2026 it runs from October 9 to 18, spread across two weeks of the home-and-away season.

Lynch has put her own stamp on this year's edition. She helped design Gold Coast's Pride guernsey, the special jumper worn for the round, alongside teammate Lily Mithen and tattoo artist Mady Peters.

The club will wear that bespoke design across Rounds 9 and 10. Gold Coast described the wider 2026 Pride Collection as a vibrant expression of self, community and belonging, the club said. Sydney player Aliesha Newman designed the official match ball for this year's Pride Round.

What makes this stand out is the contrast with the men's league. There is no equivalent Pride Round in the AFL, and the past three years have brought 10 sanctions for homophobic language against AFL-listed players or coaches.

That list includes Gold Coast players Max Knobel and Wil Powell. AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has stated that homophobia has no place in Australian football at any level or under any circumstances.

For fans, this means the next fortnight is about more than four points. It is a visible show of welcome, led by players who live it.