Television ratings for the AFLW are down 70 per cent on the first season of the competition, with crowds also down 60 per cent.

Host of 3AW’s Wide World of Sports Sam McClure said the drop in TV ratings and crowds is “significant” but he put the recent figures into context.

He also believes the AFLW “needs time” to develop and believes the quality of the games will “naturally improve” over time.

Press PLAY to hear him put the significant ratings drop into context 

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)