CHIEF executive Peter Jackson says the upcoming women’s match featuring Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs under lights at Whitten Oval is “a fantastic accolade for the two clubs”.

Jackson said the September 3, Saturday night match will be a great opportunity to see the best against the best and a great lead-in to next year’s women’s league.

“We deserved to be recognised this way and the AFL is choosing to do this and put them in Bulldogs and Melbourne jumpers,” he said.

“[It’s] recognition of what the two clubs have done to contribute starting this competition – it’s fantastic,” he said.

Jackson said a representative game, featuring two All-Star teams, could be great addition to the women’s league calendar next year.

“I would like to think so. Everyone wants to always see the best playing the best in any sport and this is an opportunity,”

“Certainly the games that were played early on at Etihad [Stadium] and places like that were fantastic.

“So if people see the skills on display here on September 3 with the best, they’ll see what this competition can grow into ultimately.”

Jackson said he was proud to be leading a club that was a pioneer in women’s football. 

“I think it’s fantastic for our club and it’s always nice to be a founding club in a new competition,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jackson said he didn’t want to add any speculation to Melbourne’s interest in Essendon defender Michael Hibbberd.

“I don’t want to add any more to that,” he said.

“Clubs are always on the lookout for good talent and what will be, will be.

“Players have got to make their own decisions at the right time.”

Jackson added that there was no further update on Jesse Hogan’s contract situation, given the key forward has been secured until at least the end of 2017.

“That’s a matter of public record that Jesse has put that discussion off until the end of the year and there is no add-on to that at this point in time,” he said.