Dees_In_October

The 30 list spots makes it pretty cutthroat for players like Rigoni on the fringe, especially in a year where we're consolidating rather than trying to turn the list over and have a lot of young players already. I do wonder if she'll get more games at the Pies than she might have with us in 2026 - watch me rue this comment in the next injury crisis...

Some highlights to get us in the mood for more newbies joining the club tonight!

Clearly I (and others!) completely forgot that this happened. So one free list spot, two draft picks we presumably intend to use and two out of contract players, Goldrick and A.Mackin?

Yes, hopefully not the case. If anyone here's able to attend the AGM (unfortunately I cannot), I hope someone puts forward some questions that might get us a better picture of where things are at.

So, assuming the 2024 draftees are all retained, we're thinking it's pretty much down to Paxy or A.Mackin for that last list spot? You'd have to think we've delisted Aimee without announcing it til the last minute (like whatever's happened with Rigoni) rather than a club legend retiring with nary a whisper. But stranger things have happened, I guess.

And I really doubt that this was a completely snap decision by Mick on November 24. It was clear (albeit in retrospect) that the possibility was there well before that. I don't expect them to announce a coach without undertaking a full process, but I would expect that SOMETHING about that process be communicated at this point. Hoping we're not asleep at the wheel here (i.e., that the club's standards for AFLW have gone out the door with Mick), but rather it's just under-resourced at this time of year on the communications side?

A couple of mids around our window... Maggie Johnstone? Priya Bowering (Although, Tassie - do we worry about that yet?) For tall backs, there's Olivia Crane at 181cm but not much else high up. Based on RookieMe, Evie Cowcher probably gone too early for us, but who knows.

Look like Johnson could go #1. afl.com.au/aflwTigers poised to pounce on draft bolter with coveted No.1...Scarlett Johnson surges into No.1 contention with Richmond strongly considering her as its top selection

Just started a new thread for the draft on Monday night so we can discuss potential options there: https://demonland.com/forums/topic/66046-aflw-draft-2025/

Monday 15th of December. Presumably will be streamed on the AFLW website.

She wasn't getting a game at the Bulldogs for whatever reason. And presumably will have a hard time getting into the team at North, at least for a little while. Is there also a question mark over why the Bulldogs haven't been able to develop a player that was highly rated? I guess North are in a position to bank on being able to get more from her with little risk.

Melbourne receives: Mia Austin Carlton receives: 2026 second-round pick (tied to Fremantle) and a 2026 third-round pick (tied to Melbourne)

Had to resort to TikTok but here's Aoife in action (albeit it slo-mo action):

Interesting! I wonder if this means Aimee's not returning? Not that we have a cap on Irish players or anything! Just list space...

2025 Daisy Pearce Trophy – Top 10 Kate Hore – 117 votes Tyla Hanks – 108 votes Eliza McNamara – 88 votes Megan Fitzsimon – 87 votes Maeve Chaplin – 84 votes Tayla Harris – 81 votes Shelley Heath – 76 votes Alyssa Bannan – 75 votes Saraid Taylor – 72 votes Lauren Pearce – 71 votes

First Place MELBOURNE AFLW Captain Kate Hore has won her fourth consecutive Daisy Pearce Trophy. The thirty-year-old was honoured for her fantastic 2025 campaign, topping the count with 117 votes at the event held on Sunday night.

Second Place Melbourne vice-captain Tyla Hanks came in second place with 108 votes. This is the second consecutive year that the midfielder has finished in the top two, having won the award on two occasion prior. Hanks’ 2025 saw her put together one of her most consistent campaigns in her career, her reliability becoming the key to her game. Known for her sharp skills, the 25-year-old used this asset to excel both as a tough inside mid and a silky mover outside the contest. She hit career-high numbers across the board averaging 23 disposals, seven tackles and 4.5 inside 50s. She capped off her year with a maiden All Australian selection and finished third in the league’s best and fairest count.

Third Place Speedy winger Eliza McNamara capped off her stellar season with a third-place finish, ending the count with 88 votes. This is her highest career finish since first arriving at the Dees in 2020. The gut-running winger has seen a steady rise to her career since first arriving at the Dees in 2020. Continuing to add more to her game with each season, this year saw her develop her strength at the contest, while further excelling in her endurance and skill. She averaged 22 disposals and five intercepts. She thrived in her new role as part of the leadership group, driving standards and growing her leadership skills at just 23 years old.

Stinear Honoured with Life Membership MELBOURNE Football Club’s inaugural AFLW coach Mick Stinear has added to the rich history of the club, receiving life membership at the Daisy Pearce Trophy on Sunday evening. melbournefc.com.auStinear honoured with Life MembershipMelbourne’s inaugural AFLW coach has been honoured with Melbourne Football Club Life Membership

Demon Spirit Award | Megan Fitzsimon The Demon Spirit Award is given to the player that demonstrates the club’s values both on and off the field and no one epitomised this more in 2025 than Megan Fitzsimon. This is the second consecutive year that Fitzsimon has taken out the award, a clear example of the kind of impact the 23-year-old has on the club. While she has consistently shown her value as a teammate off the field, this year in particular saw her reach new levels to her on-field Demon Spirit. Taking on more midfield minutes, Fitzsimon embraced this new challenge, hitting career-high numbers on the stats sheet while remaining as her cool, calm and collected self. She averaged 17 disposals, six tackles, four score involvements and tallied a total of five goals.

Best Young Player | Maggie Mahony Mahony arrived at the Dees just 12 months ago and has quickly made an impact in the red and blue, named as this year’s Best Young Player. Making her debut during Round 1, the gritty small forward has gone from strength-to-strength with every opportunity at the top level. Playing an important role inside 50, Mahony has become valued across the season internally for her never-give-up attitude. Her talents truly hit the main stage during finals, where her hard work culminated in standout displays across November.

Coaches' Award | Tahlia Gillard It was a tough start to the season for Gillard who was sidelined for the first five matches due to a knee injury. However, once the tall defender had her opportunity to make a mark on-field, she embraced it wholeheartedly, earning her the 2025 Coaches’ Award. Returning to her best footy in no-time, Gillard was a pillar of strength in Melbourne’s backline. Across her 10 matches for the year, she averaged a career-high seven intercepts and 13 disposals, out-marking many of the league’s best forwards. Despite her height, standing at 190cm tall, she became known for her rundown tackles this season, her most notable tackle coming in the dying minutes of her side’s semi-final win over Adelaide. It was a moment that will be forever etched in the minds of many Dees fans.

As per the title! I'm sure @Ghostwriter will bring us news from the night of nights and the general vibe of the group. A fairly eventful off-season so far! https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1939742/2025-daisy-pearce-trophy-all-the-winners

I don't like this. Also it annoys me that it went down on a Sunday when I actually had stuff to do rather than during the working week! Not cool. In my grand tradition of distancing myself from players I love that leave us: Guess which now-former player leads the team in all-time Free Kicks Against? 😆 Will ignore all other stats. I will say I am slightly impressed that she managed to keep this from @Ghostwriter as we all know Eden doesn't have the best poker face! I'd convinced myself that she was going to go to Geelong and all her "Don't believe the media stuff" was about the location not the reality of the trade! All good though, Ghosty. Enjoy tonight and bring back the goss! But seriously, I hope we have something up our sleeve to trade up a bit further. Because that deal ain't it.

Just got an email asking me to vote for guernsey to be worn by the team in Gather Round 2026. Which would you choose? (including if you don't want to give your contact details to vote officially!) Will be interesting to see if the most popular option for Demonlanders reflects the wider vote. [The official vote close 11.59pm Wednesday 10 December]