The Melbourne Demons have taken out their first AFLW premiership, winning the grand final on Sunday over the Brisbane Lions.
Captained by Daisy Pearce, the Demons came back from a slow start to win the final 2.7 (19) to 2.3 (15) over the minor premiers, overcoming an underdog status to claim an epic victory. Pearce claimed the win for the team was “seven years in the making”.
It was a sentimental occasion for the Demons’ beloved captain, with speculation swirling about whether she will hang up her boots after seven seasons in the AFLW. But at the end of of the game, with the premiership under her belt, Pearce said no decisions had yet been made.
“I’m not thinking any further ahead than right now. Don’t make me even think about it and rob me of these moments. I’m just so proud of this team,” she told Channel 7 after the win. “I’ve felt uncomfortable the whole time, the narrative, it being about me, I feel like that’s a glorified thing that happens outside of these four walls.”
Brisbane captain Breanna Koenen was forced to leave the the ground towards the end of the second quarter, with a knee injury. She returned to the game for the second half.
Speaking to Women’s Agenda, Pearce said the win will be a great memory the Demons playing group will be able to share forever.
“When you play a team sport, no two games are often the same, no two seasons… You definitely don’t play with the exact same group of people year in, year out. It always changes. I love the group that we’ve got at the moment,” she said.
“So to win the premiership would stamp this moment and give us something to really remember and come back together over for the rest of our lives.”
Pearce also spoke about how the team has tried to focus on more than just winning throughout this season.
“We’ve done a lot of work on our game, obviously, over a long period of time,” Pearce said.
“But this year as well, we’ve been doing a lot of work on the mental side of the game and trying to just enjoy every moment and play every moment rather than get too focused on winning and outcomes.”