It's an often-repeated conversation in Australian football.

After an off-season peppered with discussion of code-switching and the W-League's threats from rapidly expanding rival female competitions, the Matildas equal revenue sharing agreement ignited another hot-button issue for some football fans.

The relentless comparisons between male and female football.

“In this country we are always comparing sports," Nichols says.

"Just like the irrelevance of code wars, there is no point comparing gender either. Both bring their different qualities to football.”
 
While Nichols admits there are obvious - albeit narrowing - differences in physicality, she says the female game makes up for any shortcomings with more open, attacking play.
 
The W-League recorded a higher goals-per-game average last season than both the A-League and English Premier League, at 3.3.
 

“At this stage the physical aspect of the game takes second place,” Nichols said.

“This may well change as the game becomes more professional. But the opportunity for good technical players to flourish is encouraged as the female game is more open."

“Goalkeepers are improving but can still be the most obvious point of difference between males and females.
 
“This makes the game more open, which gives good players opportunities.”