Hats Off

Hats off to Darren Crocker and his ‘invincibles’ — the North Melbourne Kangaroos — on winning the 2025 AFLW Premiership, going back-to-back and remaining undefeated since the 2023 grand final.

Only one team came close to toppling the royal blue and whites: the mighty Demons, who led by six points at the final change of Preliminary Final 1.  Alas, North held firm while Melbourne fatigued to lose by 10 points.  Take comfort — none of the other 16 teams got anywhere near this close.

In his grand final presser, Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich said his team “threw the kitchen sink” at North but admitted it barely made a dent.  A second-quarter brain fade from stalwart Shannon Campbell — gifting consecutive 50-metre penalties to Kate Shierlaw — swung momentum irreversibly.  The final margin of 40 points was a statement win.  Catch the Kangaroos if you can.

North Melbourne has assembled a mighty team: competitive, highly skilled, and lightning-fast ball movement that made Brisbane look helpless.  The Lions bring ferocity but lack finesse — their best footy thrives in chaos, not precision.

North lost the 2023 grand final, then added Libby Birch from Melbourne in 2024, grand final best-on-ground Elish Sheerin from Richmond in 2025, and in 2026 expect to secure former No. 1 draftee Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner from the Bulldogs via the draft.

An elite group that keeps adding quality without losing talent. 

With Kangaroos stars Jas Garner and Ash Riddell leading the charge, a three-peat in 2026 would not surprise.

Melbourne’s Season

A 10–5 record and official third-place finish was reward for effort.  We played scintillating footy at times, especially in the last two finals against Adelaide and North.  Club leaders Kate Hore, Tyla Hanks, and Maeve Chaplin were standouts, all enjoying personal-best seasons and earning All-Australian honours.

Megan Fitzsimon was thrusted into the midfield after Liv Purcell’s season-ending knee injury in Round 2 and delivered her best season yet.  Shelley Heath produced a career-high campaign, capped by a sublime semi-final against Adelaide.  Eliza McNamara burned up the wing, averaging 341 metres gained and 23 disposals.  Ruck Lauren Pearce looked the fittest she’s ever been, playing every match and anchoring the contest.

Tahlia Gillard missed the start of the season but returned in Round 6 and grew into a finals star.  Her deputy, Saraid “Radar” Taylor, played 12 games in a breakout year.  Up forward, Kate Hore (24 goals) reached the magical ton, Eden Zanker (22) and Tayla Harris (16) rounded out the top scorers.  Tayla’s versatility — forward, back, and ruck — made her an impact player, rewarded with a contract extension to 2027.

New kids on the block: Molly O’Hehir, Maggie Mahony, Laela Ebert, and Ryleigh Wotherspoon all showed plenty during the season to provide real excitement for the future. 

The season closed with much-loved premiership coach Mick Stinear stepping down after 10 seasons and is now heading to Geelong.  No announcement yet on Melbourne’s next coach — watch this space.

Season Highlights

From

• Melbourne: 10–5 record, 209.2% percentage, 3rd place finish; finals win over Adelaide, narrow prelim loss to North.

• Round 1 — Western Bulldogs (Mission Whitten Oval): 48-point win; debutants Molly O’Hehir, Maggie Mahony, and Laela Ebert impress; Shelley Heath kicks the opener and logs a career-high 23 disposals.

• Round 2 — St Kilda (Casey Fields): 74-point win; Lily Johnson kicks her first goal; heartbreak as Liv Purcell suffers a season-ending knee injury after 19 disposals.

• Round 3 — Collingwood (Victoria Park): Thrilling 4-point win; Kate Hore clutch goal; Grace Campbell misses after the siren; Jemma Rigoni debuts; 75-game milestones for Hanks, Pearce, Zanker.

• Round 4 — Richmond (Casey Fields): 37-point win; first use of goal-line technology overturns Fitzsimon’s shot; Hanks (32 disposals) and Hore (12 tackles, 2 goals) dominate.

• Round 5 — Port Adelaide (Alberton Oval): 2-point loss; milestones for Harris (75), Fitzsimon (50), Campbell (25).

• Round 6 — West Coast (Casey Fields): 51-point win; Zanker kicks five in the first half; McNamara’s 50th game; Daisy Pearce coaches against Melbourne for the first time.

• Round 7 — Gold Coast (Casey Fields): 87-point demolition; Suns held goalless; Ry Wotherspoon breakout game.

• Round 8 — Essendon (IKON Park): 14-point win; Bombers goalless for two quarters; Maeve Chaplin BOG with 24 disposals, 14 intercepts, 611m gained.

• Round 9 — Fremantle (Fremantle Oval): 5-point loss; late bus drama; Freo exploits the Doctor with four first-quarter goals.

• Round 10 — Sydney (Casey Fields): Finals clinched with a 44-point win; Rigoni kicks her first AFLW goal.

• Round 11 — Brisbane (Brighton Homes Arena): 9-point loss; Chaplin kicks her first AFLW goal after the three-quarter time siren; Ruby Svarc’s miracle snap seals it.

• Round 12 — Geelong (GMHBA Stadium): 14-point win; five-goal third-quarter blitz; Gillard drills her first AFLW goal; Heath’s 75th game.

• Qualifying Final — Brisbane (IKON Park): 13-point loss; Hore’s 100th career goal; Mahony kicks her first; Zanker concussed.

• Semi Final — Adelaide (IKON Park): 11-point win; Hore becomes first AFLW player with 25+ disposals and 3 goals in a final; Gillard’s chase-down of Randall epitomises #demonspirit.

• Preliminary Final — North Melbourne (IKON Park): 10-point loss; season-high crowd of 7,057; Harris takes mark-of-the-year contender; Melbourne leads at 3QT before North surges late.

Friendly fixture

When AFLW published its 2025 fixture, we breathed a sigh of relief.  It was clearly favourable for a return to finals.  During the home and away, we didn’t play 4 of the Top 8 teams: North, Adelaide, Hawthorn or Carlton.  Nine wins and 209.2% saw us finish in second after the home and away.

Awards

• Kate Hore:  2025 All-Australian (AA) forward line, AA vice-captain; widely rated among the league’s best.  Now a four-time winner of the Daisy Pearce Trophy for best and fairest MFC player during the home-and-away season.

• Tyla Hanks:  Finally, AA (centre) and third in W Awards.  Runner-up in the Daisy Pearce Trophy.

• Maeve Chaplin:  AA defender; intercept queen, leadership elevation and fifth place in the Daisy Pearce Trophy.

• Eliza McNamara:  Third place in the Daisy Pearce Trophy and leadership elevation.

• Tahlia Gillard:  MFC Coach’s Award 2025 and missed 5 games with injury!

• Maggie Mahony:  MFC Best Young Player, standout displays in November finals.

• Megan Fitzsimon:  MFC Demon Spirit Award for the second consecutive year and fourth place in the Daisy Pearce Trophy.

Congratulations to our Demon champions making an impact across the competition in Season 2025!

• Player Movements & Trade Period

With Mick Stinear stepping down after a decade at the helm and recruiting guru Todd Patterson long gone, the club is facing a pivotal moment in defining its future direction.

It’s a critical off-season where big calls and bold moves will reshape Melbourne’s list for the next chapter. 

Meggs asks who is spearheading list management and running the coach replacement process?

The headline trade saw star forward Eden Zanker (with Lily Johnson) depart for Fremantle, a decision that stings but Melbourne ultimately finished the trade period with an upgraded draft hand, including two first round draft picks 9 and 14 along with later selections (53, 71, 89). 

Expect the club to use only two picks, keeping list places available for targeted re-signings.

Fresh faces are already on board:

• Aoife Horisk, an Irish Gaelic Football speedster who lit up the draft combine, brings pace and forward flair.  She was fastest in the 20m sprint and came 10^th in the 2km time trial.

• Mia Austin, daughter of Carlton great Rod Austin, adds size and goal sense at 178cm — a young forward with serious upside.

Retirements and exits include Gaby Colvin hanging up her boots and Denby Taylor moving on. Meanwhile, the Club still has list spots to fill, with uncontracted names like Goldrick, Mahony, O’Hehir, Rigoni, and Dethridge in the mix.  Aimee Mackin is not expected to return.

With more than 650 players nominating for the draft and academy prospects expected to dominate the top end, draftees like Chloe Bown, Chloe Baker-West, and Jordynn Allan are tipped to dominate early selections but we’ll have to wait to see who’s available at our selections.

It’s exciting as Melbourne’s recruiters will have a golden opportunity to inject more fresh talent.  Meggs is hoping for a strong bodied skilled mid and another key defender with elite kicking.

The 2025 AFLW Draft takes place Monday, 15 December at 7pm —hopefully whoever is calling out the numbers has a good recruiters’ eye.

And to help you wade through the draft prospects on Monday night, here’s a very useful preview from afl.com.au -

afl.com.au/aflw

20 prospects to look out for at this year's AFLW draft

Former AFLW player Phoebe McWilliams has run her eye across the draft pool and picked a handful of the best prospects across each line

Signing Off

That’s a wrap for Season 10.  It feels like the end of the chapter with Mick’s departure, but optimism abounds as we turn the page.  A strong core, fresh ideas, and returning talent can propel Melbourne to new heights in 2026.

Thanks for reading — and for riding every bump with Meggs this season.  Wishing you and your families a safe and happy festive season.

C’mon Dees!
MEGGS

We at Demonland would like to thank Meggs for the wonderful contribution made in this season in covering every aspect of the Demons’ journey through this very crucial season for the club.

Meggs’ own personal style has helped us ride all of the bumps and live through all of the highs and lows of another exciting season for the club’s AFLW team.

Three cheers for Meggs!!!🍾

Thanks also Meggs. Great summary, and your fabulous insight into the team and the up and coming players. Hope to see you back next year especially as the AFLW competition becomes more and more interesting and part of our football life.