Daisy Pearce
- AFL Women's premiership player: S7 (c)
- Melbourne captain: 2017–2018, 2020–2022 (S7)
- 3× AFL Women's All-Australian team: 2017 (c), 2018, S6
- 3× Melbourne best and fairest: 2017, 2018, S6
- 4× AFLPA AFLW best captain: 2017, 2018, 2020, S6
- AFL Women's State of Origin best-on-ground: 2017
VWFL/VFLW
- 10× VWFL/VFLW premiership player: 2006, 2007, 2008 (c), 2009 (c), 2010 (c), 2013 (c), 2014 (c), 2015 (c), 2016 (c), 2017
- Darebin captain: 2008–2016
- 6× Helen Lambert Medal: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
- VFL Women's best and fairest: 2016
- 2× Lisa Hardeman Medal: 2005, 2014
- 5× Darebin best and fairest: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Daisy Pearce (born 27 May 1988) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Melbourne Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW) and is the current AFLW senior coach of the West Coast Eagles.
Often regarded as the face of women's Australian rules football, Pearce served as Melbourne captain from the competition's inaugural season in 2017 until her retirement at the end of season 7, having previously captained the club in the women's exhibition games staged prior to the 2016 creation of the league. She captained Victoria in the inaugural AFL Women's State of Origin match in 2017, where she was adjudged best afield.
Pearce began her state league career in 2005 with the Darebin Falcons in the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL), captaining the club from 2008 to 2016 and playing around 200 games until her final match in 2017. She is a ten-time premiership player (seven times as captain), seven-time league best and fairest winner in the VWFL and VFL Women's (VFLW) competitions and five-time Darebin best and fairest winner. She represented Victoria at both under-19 and senior level, and was recruited by Melbourne with the first selection in the inaugural national women's draft in 2013 for the first women's exhibition game.
Pearce was a marquee signing for Melbourne's AFL Women's team leading into the competition's first season in 2017. At AFLW level, Pearce is a three-time AFL Women's All-Australian (including as captain of the 2017 team and vice-captain of the 2018 team) and captained Melbourne to its first AFL Women's premiership in season 7. She is a four-time AFLPA AFLW best captain and three-time Melbourne best and fairest winner, with the latter named in her honour in 2023. The VFL Women's best and fairest award, of which Pearce was the inaugural recipient in 2016, was also named partly in her honour in 2018.
Following her playing retirement, Pearce transitioned into coaching. She was as a development coach with the Geelong Football Club's Australian Football League (AFL) team in 2023, and has served as West Coast's AFLW senior coach since 2024.
Outside her playing and coaching career, Pearce became an established media personality in both television and radio. She is an expert commentator for the Seven Network and 1116 SEN's AFL coverage; she appeared on the Seven Network program AFL Game Day as a rotating panel member from 2016 until the show's cancellation in 2020 and hosted her own podcast on SEN, This Is Grit, in 2019.
Early life
Daisy Pearce was born on 27 May 1988 in Bright, Victoria, to parents Daryl and Dee. She has two brothers, Will and Harry; two younger half-siblings, Ruby and Ali, through her mother; and an older half-brother, Aaron, through her father. Her parents separated in 1995 and her mother and brothers relocated to the Melbourne suburb of Eltham while Daisy remained with her father in Wandiligong, near Bright in the Alpine Shire area, where she attended Bright P-12 College. When Pearce was a teenager, she returned to live with her mother and the rest of the family, and attended Eltham High School.
As a child, Pearce supported the Carlton Football Club, and one of her favourite players was Carlton premiership player and former captain Brett Ratten. She was enrolled in the Vickick program, which later became Auskick, and played junior football alongside boys as a child. Her father was a coach at the Bright Football Club, which allowed Pearce to begin training with the under-13 boys team from the age of eight; she played alongside her brother Harry and future Collingwood premiership defender Ben Reid. Pearce needed dispensation from the local league to continue playing alongside boys as a teenager, but was disallowed, which played a part in her decision to move to Eltham. At high school, she took up netball, tennis and volleyball, making a national youth squad for the latter, before eventually picking up football again.
Early playing career
State league and representative football
Pearce began playing with Darebin in the premier division of the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) in 2005 at the age of 16, winning the Lisa Hardeman Medal in her first season and going on to play roughly 200 games with the women-only football club. In 2007, Darebin went through the VWFL season undefeated, defeating Melbourne University in the grand final, and Pearce was named among the best players in the grand final. Darebin would go on to win five VWFL premierships in a row, before losing to St Albans in the grand final in 2011; Pearce, who had by then become captain, was named Darebin's best player in the loss. In 2013 and 2014, Darebin went through both seasons undefeated, defeating Diamond Creek by 49 points in the 2013 grand final and 30 points in the 2014 grand final; Pearce was best afield in the latter. She featured in Darebin's third consecutive grand final win over Diamond Creek in 2015. During her career in the VWFL, Pearce won the Darebin best and fairest award five times and the Helen Lambert Medal as the VWFL's best and fairest player six times.
Pearce was a member of the Australian team that played against Ireland in the 2006 Ladies' International Rules Series which, as of 2016, remains the only women's series to have taken place. In June 2007, at the age of 19, she was one of two VWFL representatives, alongside Shannon McFerran, named to play in the E. J. Whitten Legends Game; Pearce was named in the Victorian team while McFerran was named for the All Stars, marking the first time female players were included in the annual charity match. Pearce captained the Victoria under-19 team at the 2007 AFL Women's National Championships; she was named in the championships' All-Australian team and won the award for joint-player of the tournament. Pearce was named in the leadership group for the Victorian senior team at the 2009 championships and was again named in the championships' All-Australian team. She was named deputy vice-captain for Victoria at the 2011 championships.
In March 2016, the VFL Women's (VFLW) was launched and Darebin was named among ten teams from the VWFL to participate in Victoria's new state league competition. Pearce won the inaugural VFL Women's best and fairest award and played in the first VFLW premiership in 2016 as Darebin defeated Melbourne University. She played in Darebin's grand final win over Diamond Creek in 2017, kicking a goal and receiving praise from coach Jane Lange for her leadership and commitment as Darebin won its fifth consecutive state league premiership and tenth in twelve seasons.
Women's exhibition games
In May 2013, the Australian Football League (AFL) announced that a women's exhibition game would be held for the first time during its annual Women's Round, involving AFL clubs Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. Fifty of the top female footballers in Australia were selected in the inaugural national women's draft later that month to play for the two clubs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in a curtain raiser to the AFL match between the clubs in June; Pearce was recruited by Melbourne with the first selection in the draft, and was later named as Melbourne's captain. She was adjudged best afield with 28 disposals in the first exhibition game, which Melbourne won by 32 points in front of a crowd of almost 8,000. A second exhibition game between the two clubs, again played as a curtain raiser to the men's match and this time at Etihad Stadium, was announced in June 2014; Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players in its 46-point win.
In February 2015, the AFL announced that two women's exhibition games would be played that year between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, the first to be played at the MCG in May and the second to be played at Etihad Stadium in August. Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players with 23 disposals in the first match, which Melbourne won by eight points, and was best afield with 30 disposals in the second match, which Melbourne won by four points. Later that year, she was named as the inaugural winner of the club's best female player award, polling five out of a possible six votes from the two matches. In February 2016, the AFL announced a ten-match national exhibition series to be played throughout the year, in which Melbourne played two games against the Western Bulldogs in March and September, as well as a match against a Brisbane Lions women's team at the MCG in May. Pearce was best afield with 33 disposals and eleven marks in the first match, which Melbourne lost by 20 points, and was named among Melbourne's best players in its 71-point win over Brisbane. She was Melbourne's best player in its 39-point loss to the Bulldogs in September; the match was watched by an average audience of 387,000 people in Melbourne, which was greater than the average viewing audience for every Saturday night game during the 2016 AFL home-and-away season, as well as a national audience peak of over one million people.
AFL Women's playing career
2017–2019: Midfield seasons and pregnancy
In July 2016, Pearce and Melissa Hickey were announced as Melbourne's two marquee players for the inaugural AFL Women's season in 2017. Pearce was announced as the club's first AFLW captain in January 2017. She made her AFL Women's debut in Melbourne's inaugural match in round 1 against Brisbane at the club's home ground, Casey Fields, and was listed among her team's best players in the loss, recording 19 disposals and nine tackles. Pearce was among Melbourne's best players in every game for the season; she was named by the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) as "Player of the Week" for round 4 after recording 29 disposals and six tackles in Melbourne's win against Carlton and was awarded the maximum three votes for the AFL Women's best and fairest award in Melbourne's round 6 match against Adelaide. Following the home-and-away season, she revealed that she played the first two rounds with an injury after sustaining bone bruising and a corked calf in the opening round, and had sat out training for the entire week leading into round 2. At the end of the season, Pearce was named captain of the 2017 AFL Women's All-Australian team. She won the inaugural Melbourne best and fairest award and AFLPA AFLW best captain award, and was one of three Melbourne players nominated by her teammates for the AFLPA AFLW most valuable player award. She averaged 21.9 disposals, the most of any player in the inaugural season. Melbourne re-signed Pearce for the 2018 season during the trade and signing period in May. She then captained Victoria in the inaugural AFL Women's State of Origin match on 2 September in front of a crowd of 9,400, where she was adjudged best afield with 37 disposals in the 97-point win.
In January 2018, Pearce was re-elected as Melbourne captain. She was among Melbourne's best players in four of its first five matches of the season, polling the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes in Melbourne's loss to Fremantle in round 3. Pearce polled a game-high nine votes for the AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) AFLW champion player of the year award in rounds 1 and 3 and the maximum ten votes in round 5, and was selected in afl.com.au's Team of the Week in the same rounds. At the end of the season, Pearce was named vice-captain of the 2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team, and again won the Melbourne best and fairest award and AFLPA AFLW best captain award. She was again nominated by her teammates for the AFLPA AFLW most valuable player award. Melbourne signed Pearce for the 2019 season during the trade and signing period in May. However, on 31 August, Pearce announced her pregnancy with twins, which would result in her missing the 2019 season; she was retained as an inactive player, and Elise O'Dea and Shelley Scott were eventually announced as co-captains in her place.
Pearce continued to mentor and work with Melbourne players in an unofficial assistant coach role when they returned for pre-season training in November 2018, and gave birth to twins in February 2019. By April, she was back to her playing weight, and later that month, she re-signed with Melbourne for the 2020 season. In July 2019, Pearce returned to the club to train three days a week as part of what she called her "pre-pre-pre-season" for 2020, adding that she was surprised by how her body had responded after her twins' birth, and resumed training with her Melbourne teammates three weeks later. In August, Pearce was announced as an assistant coach to Dermott Brereton for the Victorian team in that year's E.J. Whitten Legends Game.
2020–2021: Return to football and position shifts
Pearce was reinstated as Melbourne captain in January 2020. Coach Mick Stinear said, "With her knowledge of our game plan, and her ability to instruct, support and give feedback on and off the field, she's just the ideal person to lead this group". She ran a personal best time over two kilometres in the lead-up to the season. Later that month, Pearce made a successful return to football, playing the first three quarters of Melbourne's practice match win against Collingwood. Leading into the season, womens.afl journalist Sarah Black named Pearce at no. 5 on her list of the top 30 players in the AFLW. Pearce played her first AFLW match in 694 days in Melbourne's win over North Melbourne in round 1, playing in a new role as a defender. Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players in five of its six home-and-away matches for the season; she polled eight coaches' votes in round 2 and five in round 3, and was selected in womens.afl's Team of the Week for round 2. After round 6, the last two home-and-away rounds were abandoned and a modified finals series was brought forward due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Melbourne to qualify for finals for the first time. Pearce was among Melbourne's best players with 22 disposals in its semi-final win over Greater Western Sydney, before the finals were cancelled with no premiership awarded due to the pandemic. Pearce was selected in the initial 40-woman squad for the 2020 AFL Women's All-Australian team, and was voted as the AFLPA AFLW best captain and nominated by her teammates for the AFLPA AFLW most valuable player award for the third time.
Leading into the 2021 season, Pearce was named as Melbourne captain for a fourth season, and was named by Sarah Black at no. 9 on her annual list of the top 30 players in the AFLW. Prior to the opening game of the season, Pearce said that she had been "squeezed out of the midfield, officially" and would continue to primarily play at half-back while still making small appearances in the midfield. Pearce polled the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes in Melbourne's round 1 win against Gold Coast. She was named among Melbourne's best players in its win over St Kilda in round 6 after moving to the forward line and kicking two goals, and was selected in womens.afl's Team of the Week for that round. Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players in round 8 after kicking a goal and setting up the match-winning goal in the club's close win over Fremantle, which assured its position in that year's finals series. She injured the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her right knee in the opening two minutes of Melbourne's close win over Brisbane the following week after her leg was caught underneath her in a tackle, which ruled her out of Melbourne's qualifying final win against Fremantle and preliminary final loss to Adelaide. Following the preliminary final, Pearce placed second in that year's AFLPA AFLW best captain award behind Western Bulldogs captain Ellie Blackburn; she revealed the next day that she had suffered a small tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee in the round 9 game, and that she would have surgery to repair the MCL while allowing the ACL to heal naturally.
2022: 13-goal season, premiership and retirement
Pearce was named as Melbourne captain for a fifth season leading into season 6, continuing in her forward role from midway through the previous season. Stinear said that she was the strongest he had ever seen her; Pearce said that she had focused more heavily on weights and more of a strength and power focus over running during the pre-season. She polled the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes in Melbourne's round 1 win over the Western Bulldogs and was among Melbourne's best players in its loss to Adelaide in round 4, kicking two of the team's three goals for the game. At the halfway point of the season, Pearce was equal-third in the competition for average score involvements with 4.4 per game. She was among Melbourne's best players in its win over Brisbane in round 7, shifting back into defence during the match to record 15 disposals; she received five coaches' votes and was selected in womens.afl's Team of the Week for round 7. Pearce was among Melbourne's best players with five goals in its record-breaking win over Fremantle in round 9, becoming Melbourne's first AFLW player and the fourth AFLW player overall to kick five goals in a match; she received the maximum ten coaches' votes, was selected in womens.afl's Team of the Week for round 9 and polled the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes. She was among Melbourne's best players in its win over Carlton in round 10, kicking two goals and alternating between attack and defence to help Melbourne secure a top-two finish at the end of the home-and-away season. Pearce played in Melbourne's preliminary final win over Brisbane in the first AFLW match played at the MCG to help the club progress to the 2022 AFL Women's season 6 Grand Final, its first grand final appearance. She was named in Champion Data's 2022 AFLW All-Star stats team after leading the competition for score involvements with 1.5 per game and kicking 13 goals in ten games, was named in the 2022 AFL Women's season 6 All-Australian team, her third All-Australian selection, and was voted as the AFLPA AFLW best captain for the fourth time in her career. Pearce played in Melbourne's loss to Adelaide in the grand final, playing a key role in defence and on the wing. Following the grand final, she won her third Melbourne best and fairest award by a single vote. In May, Pearce said that she would continue playing for "at least one more" season, with the competition's seventh season taking place later in the year.
In August, Pearce was named at no. 25 in Sarah Black's season 7 list of the top 30 players in the AFLW and was named as Melbourne captain for a sixth season. She kicked a goal from eight disposals in Melbourne's round 1 win over Adelaide, playing a negating role on Adelaide defender Sarah Allan as part of her role to "keep [Adelaide's] intercept (possession) game to a minimum". Pearce was among Melbourne's best players in its win over North Melbourne in round 2 with two goals. In the lead-up to her 50th AFLW game, Pearce said that while she would "love" an AFLW premiership, "It's less about ticking that box and having a premiership than it is about love for the game [...] I think I'll walk away still really fulfilled and feeling like the game has given me so much". She played her 50th game in Melbourne's win over Gold Coast in round 8, kicking a goal from 11 disposals and six marks. Pearce kicked the winning goal in Melbourne's preliminary final win over North Melbourne to help the club progress to the 2022 AFL Women's season 7 Grand Final, its second consecutive grand final appearance. She played in Melbourne's premiership win over Brisbane the following week, one of five inaugural Melbourne players (the others being Sarah Lampard, Lily Mithen, Karen Paxman and Lauren Pearce; Stinear was also their inaugural coach) to do so. In January 2023, Pearce announced her playing retirement.
Playing statistics
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks | ||
#
|
Played in that season's premiership team |
†
|
Led the league for the season |
Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
2017 | Melbourne | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 79 | 74 | 153 | 16 | 36 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 11.3 | 10.6 | 21.9 | 2.3 | 5.1 | 7 |
2018 | Melbourne | 6 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 89 | 38 | 127 | 11 | 37 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 12.7 | 5.4 | 18.1 | 1.6 | 5.3 | 6 |
2019 | Melbourne | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 |
2020 | Melbourne | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 36 | 104 | 19 | 20 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.7 | 5.1 | 14.9 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 2 |
2021 | Melbourne | 6 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 67 | 22 | 89 | 17 | 25 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 7.4 | 2.4 | 9.9 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 3 |
2022 (S6) | Melbourne | 6 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 93 | 37 | 130 | 27 | 21 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 7.8 | 3.1 | 10.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 6 |
2022 (S7) | Melbourne | 6 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 75 | 47 | 122 | 25 | 21 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 5.8 | 3.6 | 9.4 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1 |
Career | 55 | 25 | 22 | 471 | 254 | 725 | 115 | 160 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 8.6 | 4.6 | 13.2 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 25 |
Honours and achievements
Team
Individual
- Melbourne captain: 2017–2018, 2020–2022 (S7)
- 3× AFL Women's All-Australian team: 2017 (c), 2018, S6
- 3× Melbourne best and fairest: 2017, 2018, S6
- 4× AFLPA AFLW best captain: 2017, 2018, 2020, S6
- AFL Women's State of Origin best-on-ground: 2017
- Victoria representative honours in AFL Women's State of Origin: 2017
Playing style and positions
Pearce was known for being a smart, skilled and composed player who directed play on-field. Longtime Melbourne coach Mick Stinear described Pearce as an "on-field coach" while teammate Shelley Heath described her as "essentially another coach on the ground".
Pearce began her AFL Women's career playing primarily as a midfielder, having achieved most of her recognition playing in that position; her average of 21.9 disposals per game in 2017 was the highest of any player. Upon her return to football in 2020 after the birth of her twins, Pearce began playing solely as a defender before shifting to playing primarily as a forward from midway through the 2021 season; the five goals that she kicked in round 9 of season 6 were the most in a game by a Melbourne AFLW player.
Early coaching career
In October 2021, Pearce was among eight women, including five current and former AFLW players, selected in the AFL's women's coaching academy for 2022; she completed a national AFL level three coaching accreditation course as part of the academy, designed to "accelerate the next generation of female coaches" in Australian rules football, and was mentored by former Darebin and St Kilda coach Peta Searle as part of the twelve-month program.
By March 2022, Pearce was considering an assistant coaching role for Geelong's AFL team; she had earlier been offered the position of Essendon's inaugural AFLW coach and turned it down after serious consideration. Later that month, she joined the AFL Academy as a coach of its women's program. In June 2022, Pearce accepted a coaching position at Geelong as part of the AFL's women's coaching acceleration program. She was one of four current AFLW players and nine women overall to receive a position at a club; the program enabled the successful women to start their role anytime before 2025, which allowed Pearce to continue playing until she decided to begin in the role.
Pearce began her role as a development coach with Geelong in February 2023, having signed a four-year contract. While in her commentary role for the Seven Network, she was refused entry into Richmond's change rooms following its round 1 draw against Carlton due to her coaching position, a decision which Richmond senior club advisor Neil Balme later clarified was a sign of respect for Pearce's intelligence: "I know I'd trust her to the point that (gathering intelligence is) not what she is there for [...] but to be able to do both jobs is a bit difficult at times". The Brisbane Lions later put the same ban on Pearce, with senior coach Chris Fagan saying that it was a hard decision and either choice was acceptable.
AFL Women's coaching career
2024–present: First season
In December 2023, Pearce was announced as West Coast's new AFLW senior coach on a three-year contract, replacing Michael Prior, with the club describing the appointment as "one of the biggest recruiting coups of [its] history" in a club statement. The appointment made Pearce the third former AFLW player to become a senior coach, following Lauren Arnell and Lisa Webb, and was later named at no. 1 on afl.com.au's list of the ten biggest stories of the 2023 AFL Women's season. Pearce first coached West Coast in two unofficial practice matches during the off-season, a two-point win over Gold Coast in April and a 14-point loss to Fremantle in May, followed in August by a 56-point loss to Fremantle in a pre-season match simulation and a 32-point loss to St Kilda in a practice match. In week 1, in her first official match as an AFLW coach, Pearce coached West Coast to a one-point win over Richmond, followed by a 16-point loss to Essendon in week 2. She coached West Coast to an eleven-point win over the Western Bulldogs in week 3, overseeing West Coast's best start to an AFLW season with two wins from its first three matches, followed by a 17-point win over Collingwood in one of weeks 4's matches, marking the first time the club won consecutive AFLW matches and the first time it won three matches in a season, after only four matches. Pearce coached West Coast to a 45-point loss to reigning premier Brisbane in the other week 4 match, followed by a 24-point win over Greater Western Sydney in week 5, in which the club recorded its highest AFLW score of 10.4 (64) to place in the top eight on the ladder after six matches; however, West Coast would lose its final five matches of the season to finish 13th.
Coaching statistics
Updated to the end of the 2024 season.
W
|
Wins | L
|
Losses | D
|
Draws | %
|
Win percentage |
Season | Team | Ladder | Home-and-away season | Finals | Total | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Games | W | L | D | % | Games | W | L | D | % | Games | W | L | D | % | |||
2024 | West Coast | 13 / 18 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 36.4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 36.4 |
Career | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 36.4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 36.4 |
Media career
Pearce is an expert commentator for the Seven Network's AFL coverage on television and AFL Nation's AFL coverage for 1116 SEN on radio. In 2016, Pearce began appearing as a panel member on the Seven Network program AFL Game Day; she was set to continue in the role in 2020 before the show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, Pearce began appearing on the SEN morning shows SEN Breakfast (with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson) and Whateley (with Gerard Whateley), and in 2019, she hosted This Is Grit, a weekly podcast series on SEN focusing on sportswomen. In 2021, she co-hosted The W Show for AFL Media alongside Nat Edwards, where they analysed and discussed AFL Women's news and topics. She previously provided special comments for radio network Triple M in 2017 and has written columns for newspaper The Age.
Pearce was a boundary rider for Seven's coverage of the AFL Grand Final in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, she became the first woman to provide special comments for Seven's coverage of the grand final, and was widely praised by fans and media for her commentary. Pearce won the award for Best Opinion/Analysis – TV/Radio at the 2021 Australian Football Media Association Awards, with the AFMA commenting: "Daisy's football knowledge is incredible and she leaves viewers with a better appreciation of the game". Pearce was shifted to Seven's Friday night commentary team for the 2022 season, before moving to Thursday nights in 2023 upon commencing her coaching role with Geelong's AFL team.
Advocacy
Pearce has advocated for both men and women to commentate and talk about women's football in the media. After Tiffany Cherry spoke out against the Nine Network in February 2018 for failing to stand up for gender equality after being replaced by Clint Stanaway as host of the Nine program Women's Footy, Pearce said, "I enjoy seeing men working across and well-informed football commentators talking about [women's football]... why can't we see men working across the AFL Women's competition?" She said that if there was a belief that only women should call AFLW games and only men should call AFL games, "It's almost as if we are taking a few steps back". Pearce believed that this applied to coaching, saying that while she supported women coaching in football, she wanted "the best coach that's out there" to coach her, describing Stinear as "the best coach for the job" at Melbourne.
One of several high-profile players to speak out during the AFLW's 2020–2022 collective bargaining agreement negotiations in 2019, Pearce supported the AFL Players Association and the AFL's deal to gradually extend the length of AFLW seasons over the three-year period and played down talks of a crisis developing after a group of players considered splitting from the AFLPA to create their own players union. She believed that broader talks between the AFLPA and AFLW players, which would allow more players to speak directly to the AFLPA, would result in an agreement that would satisfy all players. "[If] the AFL Players Association tell us that moving forward 'we're going to improve communications [...] because we've acknowledged there's some challenges with communicating with part-time girls', I trust that they'll do that".
Legacy
Pearce is often regarded by media as the face of women's Australian rules football and is highly regarded across the football industry for her professionalism, football knowledge and leadership, both on and off the field, as well as being a role model for current and future female footballers. Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark wrote that Pearce had "set the standard in training and professionalism [in women's football] for years" and that her contributions "over more than a decade [made] her a living legend of the women's game", while SEN broadcaster Gerard Whateley called Pearce "the defining figure of the AFLW era" and "the face of a social movement as well as a sport".
Daisy's just the complete package and by playing at Darebin with her, I see how hard she works off the field [...] I couldn't think of a better partner in crime to start that (AFL Women's journey) with.
— Melissa Hickey, Darebin and Melbourne teammate, in 2016
[Pearce] has been a generational player and a generational leader. Talk about a story of breaking glass ceilings [...] she has just done it by being good in a way that has totally changed the landscape for young women.
— Gillon McLachlan, AFL chief executive officer, in 2020
[Pearce's] knowledge is excellent. God, she is well prepared [...] she has a presence. You can feel it. She has that lovely balance of being engaging, warm and charismatic, but at the same time she is humble and keen to listen and improve.
— Bruce McAvaney, longtime Seven Network host and commentator, in 2020
I don't think I've ever had a better captain than Daisy at any level of football. Everyone I talk to, including friends from other teams, always comment on how amazing it must be to be captained by Daisy. Everyone respects her and she always delivers no matter what, as a person or as a captain.
— Shelley Heath, Melbourne teammate, in 2022
In 2016, Pearce was named Football Woman of the Year for her work as the AFL's female football ambassador, an AFL talent coordinator and a graduate intern at the Melbourne Football Club. In February 2017, Melbourne unveiled its new AFLW mascot, a costumed human depicting a "young female footy player", named Daisy in honour of Pearce. On 7 March 2017, Pearce became the first woman to be elected as a director on the board of the AFLPA; the association had decided that day to include AFLW players as full members.
In September 2018, the VFL Women's best and fairest award was named the Lambert–Pearce Medal to honour Pearce and VWFL founding committee member and former president Helen Lambert. Pearce won the inaugural award in 2016 after winning six Helen Lambert Medals in the VWFL. In December 2023, Melbourne named its AFL Women's best and fairest award the Daisy Pearce Trophy to honour Pearce, a three-time recipient of the award, and by August 2024, the club had named its academy for its first- to third-year AFLW players the Daisy Pearce Academy. In December 2024, Pearce received life membership at Melbourne for her contributions to the club.
Personal life
Pearce studied a Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery at La Trobe University, graduating in 2010 and receiving a Distinguished Alumni award in 2019. She worked as a midwife at Box Hill Hospital and lived in Eltham at the time. Pearce gave birth to twins with her partner, firefighter Ben O'Neill, in February 2019 via a caesarean section. Her son was diagnosed with dextrocardia while she was pregnant. In October 2020, Pearce and her family relocated to Porepunkah, near Bright, and she divided her time between there and Melbourne, before relocating with her family to Perth to commence her AFLW coaching career with West Coast in 2024.
In June 2021, Pearce participated in the annual Big Freeze at the 'G event to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research, sliding into the ice bath at the MCG in costume as the titular character from the Australian animated series Bluey. The 2021 edition of the event raised more than $10 million for Neale Daniher's charity, Fight MND. Following her 50th AFLW game in 2022, which coincided with season 7's Pride Round, Pearce decided to sell her specially-designed guernsey at auction and donate all funds to The Reach Foundation, a youth not-for-profit organisation established by former Melbourne player and president Jim Stynes.
Notes
- ^ Sources differ regarding Pearce's birthplace; her profile on the former VWFL website lists her birthplace as Bright, while a book by Samantha Lane states that she was born in nearby Wandiligong.
- ^ Later named the Daisy Pearce Trophy in her honour
- ^ Later named the Lambert–Pearce Medal partly in her honour
- ^ Pearce did not captain the club during the 2019 season, which she missed due to pregnancy.
- ^ The AFL's deal was to extend the 2020 season to eight home-and-away rounds, 2021 to nine and 2022 to ten, with three weeks of finals in each season.
References
- ^ "Lambert Pearce Medal revealed". vfl.com.au. 6 September 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ Olle, Sarah (27 February 2016). "Women's AFL: How life has changed for Daisy Pearce, the AFL's first female superstar". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Black, Sarah (10 August 2018). "Comment: AFL has to splash cash on AFLW". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Walsh, Courtney (12 February 2021). "In a league of her own". The Weekend Australian. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah (26 April 2019). "Trade and Signing Period wrap: Daisy re-signs with Dees". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce bio". Australian Football. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ "#6 Daisy Pearce". Victorian Women's Football League. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ^ Lane, Samantha (29 January 2018). Roar: the stories behind AFLW – a movement bigger than sport. Docklands, Victoria, Australia: Penguin Books. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-14-378874-4.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (3 September 2017). "AFLW State of Origin medal comes up Daisy's". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "AFLW star Daisy Pearce ignored discouragement to forge stellar Australian rules career". ABC News. 13 May 2020. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce on women's AFL and your new coffee order". Women's Health. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (15 October 2022). "Fifty AFLW games just a small chapter of the Daisy Pearce story". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ "VWFL Results – Premier Seniors grand final". Victorian Women's Football League. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "VU St Albans Spurs win VWFL grand final". melbournefc.com.au. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ Cavanagh, Chris (8 September 2014). "Darebin Falcons go back-to-back with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Darebin Falcons win 2013 VWFL Grand Final". Susan Alberti Foundation. 10 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ Cavanagh, Chris (13 September 2015). "Darebin Falcons fly to eighth premiership in 10 years with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ Rhodes, Brendan (7 October 2021). "Inspirational Bomber's stunning Lambert-Pearce Medal win". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Holden, Peter (15 November 2016). "Reliving the one and only Women's International Rules series 10 years on". girlsplayfooty.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ McClure, Geoff (4 June 2007). "Boy oh boy". The Age. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Ford, Brent (27 June 2013). "Women's game a step forward for the AFL". The Roar. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Catto, Leesa (1 June 2009). "Press release: Victorian women's footy team". Victorian Women's Football League. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "Kites find it tough at national championships". AFL Northern Territory. 15 June 2009. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "Victorian Women's Football League state squad". AFL Victoria. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "VFL Women's fixture release". AFL Victoria. 21 March 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Darebin Falcons triumph in VFL women's grand final". The Age. 18 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 January 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ Cowan, Geordie (24 September 2017). "VFL Women's grand final: Darebin claims fifth consecutive flag with win tense win over Diamond Creek". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah. "Why the Darebin Falcons will never say die". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Dogs to field side in inaugural AFL women's match". westernbulldogs.com.au. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Pellizzeri, Teo (15 May 2013). "Pearce tops women's draft". The Age. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ "Women's exhibition match captains announced". Victorian Women's Football League. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Reed, Jacqui (29 June 2013). "Trailblazer Cowan seeking top AFL job". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ "Daisy delivers for Darebin, Demons and local mums". Health Victoria. July 2013. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "2014 AFL Women's Exhibition Match – Players available 12pm Tuesday June 24". afl.com.au. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Schmook, Nathan (29 June 2014). "Demons too good for Dogs in women's match". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Twomey, Callum (12 February 2015). "Double dose of women's footy in 2015". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Di Giorgio, Giulio (24 May 2015). "Dees claim hard-fought win in women's clash". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Di Giorgio, Giulio (16 August 2015). "Women's match: Pearce stars as Demons keep perfect record intact against Bulldogs". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "Pearce wins best female player award". melbournefc.com.au. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "AFL announces 10-match national women's exhibition series to be played in 2016". ABC News. 20 February 2016. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Smirnoff, Alison (25 February 2016). "AFL's 10-game women's exhibition series announced for 2016". SBS. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Australian Associated Press (22 May 2016). "Melbourne beats Brisbane in AFL women's exhibition match as former cricketer Jess Cameron stars". ABC News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (6 March 2016). "Bulldogs' women's team secures maiden win against Demons". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (22 May 2016). "Cricket star hits Lions for six in Demon women's big win". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (3 September 2016). "Match report: Hope gets Dogs glory against Dees". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Randall, Michael (4 September 2016). "Women's AFL All-Stars exhibition game pulls in huge TV ratings". Herald Sun. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Byrnes, Holly (4 September 2016). "Women's AFL exhibition match kicks ratings goal for Channel Seven ahead of finals". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Sewell, Eliza (27 July 2016). "Women's league clubs announce marquee player signings". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Wood, Lauren (14 January 2017). "Pearce named the Demons' inaugural captain". Herald Sun. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (5 February 2017). "Lions take the points in AFLW wild weather clash". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 February 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ Black, Sarah (11 February 2017). "Match report: Late surge keeps Demons' season alive". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (18 February 2017). "AFLW: Demons far too good for Bulldogs". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (25 February 2017). "Dees keep AFLW title hopes alive with close win over Blues". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Sygall, David (3 March 2017). "AFLW: Giants punish Dees for historic first win". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Silby, Murray (11 March 2017). "Dees keep AFLW Grand Final hopes alive". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (18 March 2017). "Match report: Sharpshooting Dees still have AFLW Grand Final sniff". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "AFLW Player of the Week: Round 4". AFL Players Association. 28 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ "NAB AFL Women's Best and Fairest: All the votes". afl.com.au. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ Olle, Sarah (22 March 2017). "Pearce has revealed she played the opening fortnight of AFLW with injury". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (28 March 2017). "Lions, Crows dominate AFLW All Australian team". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- ^ Burgan, Matt (2 April 2017). "Pearce wins club best and fairest". melbournefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ Beaton, Robert (27 March 2017). ""No one like" the AFLW's Best Captain". AFL Players Association. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ Guthrie, Ben (21 March 2017). "AFLW MVP nominations revealed". AFL Players Association. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "AFLW: All the clubs' full lists after trade period". afl.com.au. 26 May 2017. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
- ^ Cavanagh, Chris (2 September 2017). "Victoria crush The Allies in AFL Women's State of Origin clash at Etihad Stadium". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ Wood, Lauren (26 January 2018). "Daisy Pearce turns trip to Sydney into Melbourne AFLW team bonding". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (3 February 2018). "Match report: Demons win after Giant fright". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (10 February 2018). "AFLW: Impressive Demons keep Crows winless". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ King, Travis (18 February 2018). "Match report: Dockers knock off Demons". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (2 March 2018). "AFLW match report: Dees get back on track". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (28 March 2018). "W Awards: Dogs star named League B&F". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ "AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 1, 2018)". AFL Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 3, 2018)". AFL Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 5, 2018)". AFL Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah; Buxton, Aaron (6 February 2018). "AFLW Team of the Week: Three debutants in". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Buxton, Aaron (19 February 2018). "AFLW Team of the Week: Superstar Crow returns". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ Black, Sarah; Saultry, Meg (6 March 2018). "AFLW: Dees own midfield in team of the week". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (27 March 2018). "W Awards: Nine named dual All Australians". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ Burgan, Matt (28 March 2018). "Pearce claims second best and fairest". melbournefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ Beaton, Robert (26 March 2018). "Pearce truly the AFLW's best leader". AFL Players Association. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Guthrie, Ben (21 March 2018). "AFLW MVP award nominees revealed for 2018". AFL Players Association. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (10 June 2018). "AFLW: Delisted Docker goes coast to coast". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ "AFLW: Melbourne star pregnant with twins". afl.com.au. 1 September 2018. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (19 December 2018). "AFLW: Dees announce co-captains to replace Daisy". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ Matthews, Bruce (16 November 2018). "On field or off, superstar Daisy is relishing her twin roles". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Matt (18 February 2019). "Daisy's double: AFLW superstar's twins arrive early". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ Black, Sarah (8 April 2019). "Big names, big moves: 2019 AFLW Trade Period preview". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
- ^ Black, Sarah (24 July 2019). "She's back: Melbourne superstar returns to training after birth to twins". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ Gibson, Ben (14 August 2019). "AFLW: Daisy's back on track". melbournefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- ^ "It's going to go off: Can Cooney and co. stop Jimmy and the Fev express?". afl.com.au. 23 August 2019. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ Black, Sarah (20 January 2020). "Follow the leader: Your club's 2020 captain and leadership group". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (17 February 2020). "Twin roles and new goals as Daisy makes it back to the AFLW". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (25 January 2020). "Daisy Pearce shows class in comeback, Bulldogs captain injured". The Age. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ Black, Sarah (2 February 2020). "Sarah Black's top 30: Mum's the word for superstar Demon". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ McFarlane, Glenn (8 February 2020). "AFLW: Daisy Pearce's return inspires Melbourne to upset win over flag favourites North Melbourne". The Mercury. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ Black, Sarah (10 February 2020). "Happy Dais: The AFLW's biggest name returns". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ McGowan, Marc (14 March 2020). "Match report: Zanker the hero as Dees open 2020 with narrow win". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (14 February 2020). "Match report: Slick Demons put the bite on Bulldogs". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Canil, Jourdan (21 February 2020). "AFLW boilover: Saints get first win over wasteful Demons". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (28 February 2020). "Magpies lose match, and star to injury, against hot Demons". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ McGowan, Marc (14 March 2020). "Blues storm past Demons in crunch Alice Springs blockbuster". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "AFLCA votes: Hot start for Pies midfielder, Freo tackle machine". womens.afl. 17 February 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "AFLCA votes: Perfect Pie makes it three in a row". womens.afl. 24 February 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (18 February 2020). "AFLW Team of the Week, round two". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ Black, Sarah (11 November 2020). "The season that was: A look back at 2020". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (17 January 2021). "Melbourne season guide: All you need to know". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Curley, Adam (21 March 2020). "Dee-lightful: Heartbreak for Giants as Demons pinch cliffhanger". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ Canil, Jourdan (22 March 2020). "No premiership in 2020: AFLW season ends immediately". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ Negrepontis, Nic (3 April 2020). "Official 2020 AFLW All-Australian squad revealed". SEN. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ Negrepontis, Nic (20 April 2020). "North Melbourne star crowned AFLW MVP for 2020". SEN. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ Negrepontis, Nic (17 April 2020). "AFLW MVP nominees revealed and full predictions". SEN. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Nobes, Caitlin (15 January 2021). "Pearce, Paxman to continue in new-look AFLW leadership group". melbournefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah (27 January 2021). "Sarah Black's top 30 AFLW players: Blues dynamo rockets up to No.1". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah (30 January 2021). "'One of the toughest I've played with': Pearce's praise for Dees draftee". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "AFLW B&F: Your club's leader, every vote from every game". womens.afl. 21 April 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ Burt, Sarah (6 March 2021). "Pearce dominates as Demons savage the Saints". The Age. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah (9 March 2021). "AFLW Team of the Week, round six". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ Healy, Jonathan (21 March 2021). "Demons hang on in thriller after charging Dockers fall short". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Hope, Shayne (28 March 2021). "Superstar Dee out of first final but season not over yet". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce injured in Melbourne's AFLW win over Brisbane as Kangaroos qualify for finals". ABC News. 27 March 2021. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ Waterworth, Ben; Zita, David (28 March 2021). "Roos break Blues hearts, Daisy Pearce's cruel pre-finals blow on ridiculous day of AFLW results". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (9 April 2021). "Daisy Pearce to miss AFLW preliminary final". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ Walsh, Liz (14 April 2021). "AFLW 2021: Brianna Davey claims MVP award in thriller". Herald Sun. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah (15 April 2021). "'I've got a little tear in my ACL': Daisy reveals injury latest ... but will she go on?". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah (15 November 2021). "Follow the leader: Your club's leadership group for 2022". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Wood, Lauren (7 January 2022). "AFLW 2022: Melbourne star Daisy Pearce on footy, life and her quest for an elusive AFLW premiership". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (6 April 2022). "AFLW B&F: Your club's leader, every vote from every game". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ Schmook, Nathan (29 January 2022). "Electric Erin gives Demons a rude shock as Crows continue dream run". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (10 February 2022). "Stats stars: Who is leading at the halfway mark of the season?". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Whiting, Michael (21 February 2022). "Harris stands tall as Demons edge Lions in dramatic finish". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "AFLCA votes, R7: Tayla's perfect ten, trio tied at the top". womens.afl. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (23 February 2022). "AFLW Team of the Week, round seven". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ Somerford, Ben (5 March 2022). "Record-breaking Demons destroy Dockers". Seven News. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Reilly, Eliza (5 March 2022). "AFLW 2022: Decimated Fremantle outfit concede biggest score in history and slip to fifth on ladder". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (5 March 2022). "Dee-molition: Records tumble as Melbourne puts other clubs on notice". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ "AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 9, 2022)". AFL Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (8 March 2022). "AFLW Team of the Week, round nine". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ Australian Associated Press (12 March 2022). "Dees lock in top-two berth after edging Blues in one-point thriller". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (2 April 2022). "Dee Day: Melbourne defeats reigning premier to book maiden GF spot". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (18 March 2021). "All-Star stats team: Crows lead the way, one Pie makes the cut". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Waterworth, Ben (5 April 2022). "Roos star's legend reaches new elite heights as full All-Australian team revealed". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ O'Halloran, Kate (6 April 2022). "Emily Bates voted AFLW player of the year at AFLPA awards, as Daisy Pearce, Kirsty Lamb, Charlie Rowbottom also recognised". ABC News. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (9 April 2022). "Dynasty: Crows exorcise Grand Final Demons to win third premiership". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Gibson, Ben (11 April 2022). "Pearce reigns supreme in tightest of Best and Fairest counts". melbournefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Pierik, Jon (2 May 2022). "'I just still love it': Daisy Pearce will play on with the Demons". The Age. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (19 May 2022). "CBA locked in: big pay increase, August start date confirmed". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (4 August 2022). "Sarah Black's Top 30 AFLW players: 25-21". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Australian Associated Press (8 August 2022). "Players 're-energised' after quick season turnaround". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (31 August 2022). "How Demons got one back from the Crows". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (2 September 2022). "Late Bannan heroics get Dees over the line in MCG thriller". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ Australian Associated Press (13 October 2022). "'I'll walk away really fulfilled': Flag success won't define milestone Dee". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Whiting, Michael (15 October 2022). "Hot Demons flex their muscles as Suns' finals hopes take a hit". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (19 November 2022). "Daisy boots sealer as Dees down dogged Roos to reach GF". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Bilton, Dean (27 November 2022). "Melbourne outlasts Brisbane Lions in AFLW grand final to claim historic premiership". ABC News. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (27 November 2022). "Inaugural Dee plays through gruesome injury in finals campaign". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ Vinall, Marnie (27 November 2022). "'Don't rob me of these moments': Daisy Pearce, Melbourne win first AFLW premiership". The Age. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ Welsh, Sophie (18 January 2023). "End of an era: AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce hangs up the boots". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce – player stats by season". Australian Football. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- ^ Welsh, Sophie (18 January 2023). "End of an era: AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce hangs up the boots". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce Trophy awarded to Melbourne Best and Fairest". Melbourne Football Club. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "Listen: The fitness regime that has star Demon flying". womens.afl. 23 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ Welsh, Sophie (7 March 2021). "AFLW 2021: All the action and results from Round 6". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (31 March 2020). "Siren's 2020 AFLW All Australian Team: too many midfielders?". Siren. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ Black, Sarah (27 October 2021). "Big names selected for BHP Women's Coaching Academy". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Negrepontis, Nic (27 October 2021). "Pearce, Zielke, Arnell headline 2022 BHP Women's Coaching Academy". SEN. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Ryan, Peter; McClure, Sam (1 March 2022). "Cats coup: Daisy Pearce weighs offer to join Geelong as AFL assistant coach". The Age. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (29 March 2022). "Is this the start of 'Coach Daisy'? Pearce joins NAB AFLW Academy". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (7 June 2022). "Daisy one of four players granted coaching positions". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ Black, Sarah (1 March 2023). "'A significant name in football': Coach Daisy arrives at the Cattery". womens.afl. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ Geleit, Lachlan (23 March 2023). ""You can't do both jobs": Balme reveals why Tigers barred Daisy Pearce from changerooms". SEN. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ Whiting, Michael (29 March 2023). "Fagan explains Lions' decision to ban Daisy from rooms". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ Vaughan, Roger; Australian Associated Press (11 December 2023). "AFLW great Daisy Pearce to coach Eagles women". Perth Now. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Mottram, Seb (11 December 2023). "Daisy Pearce appointed AFLW Eagles senior coach". SEN. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Black, Sarah (11 December 2023). "AFLW bombshell as Pearce named Eagles coach, leaves Cats". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Welsh, Sophie (31 December 2023). "The 10 biggest stories of the 2023 AFLW season". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Black, Sarah (30 April 2024). "Eagles kickstart new era with scratch match against Suns". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (7 May 2024). "Captain stars, stalwart makes switch as Dockers beat Eagles". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma; Black, Sarah; Welsh, Sophie (13 August 2024). "Scouting notes: AFLW match simulations". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "AFLW match report: West Coast stunted by Saints". West Coast Eagles. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ Somerford, Ben (30 August 2024). "Eagles edge Tigers in thriller to give Daisy winning start". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Somerford, Ben (7 September 2024). "Dons clip Eagles' wings to notch first win of 2024". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Lerner, Ronny (12 September 2024). "More Daisy delight as Eagles make best AFLW start ever amid Dogs star's injury concern". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ McWilliams, Phoebe (17 September 2024). "Eagles reach new heights as winless Pies suffer another injury blow". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ Schmook, Nathan (22 September 2024). "Lions looming large after trimming Daisy's Eagles". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ Burt, Sarah (2 October 2024). "Daisy domination: how Pearce has allowed her players to flourish". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Pegan, Martin (2 November 2024). "Smith bags five as Swans thump Eagles to finish season on a high". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce (coaching statistics)". Australian Football. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "2024 AFL Women's premiership season". Australian Football. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Bednall, Jai (2 October 2020). "Daisy Pearce emerges as real star of Seven's AFL coverage". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "Australia's best race caller, Brownlow Medallist join AFL Nation commentary team". SEN. 11 March 2021. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Seven's 2020 AFL commentary team announced and is bolstered by star recruits Luke Hodge and Jobe Watson". TV Blackbox. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Channel 7 axe footy shows Game Day and Talking Footy ahead of season restart". Fox Sports. 3 June 2020. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce joins 1116 SEN and Crocmedia". SEN. 24 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "This Is Grit". SEN. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "The W Show is here: Fixture reshuffle, COVID chaos, young star sets record". womens.afl. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce Joins Triple M's AFL Footy Call". B&T. 18 April 2017. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "The Age unveils footy columnists for 2017". Brisbane Times. 18 December 2016. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ McMurtry, Andrew (26 September 2021). "Fans rave over Daisy Pearce's Channel 7 Grand Final performance". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Mottram, Seb (16 September 2021). "Pearce discusses barriers and coaching aspirations after winning AFMA award". SEN. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Channel 7 dumps AFL legend Wayne Carey from Friday prime-time". Fox Sports. 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ Niall, Jake (21 February 2023). "How AFL commentary teams will change for season 2023". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ Australian Associated Press (6 February 2018). "Daisy Pearce weighs in on gender equality storm over Channel Nine program Women's Footy". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "'It's just football': Pearce on footy show gender criticism". SEN. 4 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ Colangelo, Anthony (4 October 2019). "AFLW dissidents dig their heels in on D-Day". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
- ^ Colangelo, Anthony (18 September 2019). "AFLW stars downplay CBA dispute". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
- ^ Colangelo, Anthony (9 October 2019). "Broader talks should bring AFLW CBA decision: Pearce". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
- ^ Valencich, Glenn; Australian Associated Press (11 October 2019). "AFLW dispute heats up as Darcy Vescio responds to Daisy Pearce's remarks". Seven News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
- ^ Clark, Jay (3 January 2022). "AFLW 2022: How Daisy Pearce is reinventing herself as a forward and why she's not ready to hang up the boots yet". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ Whateley, Gerard (2 March 2022). "Could Daisy Pearce one day change the AFL coaching landscape?". SEN. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ Harrington, Anna (27 July 2016). "How a small town cafe was the key to building Melbourne's women's footy marquee partnership". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Pearce claims top gong". Inside Sport. 29 September 2016. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Burgan, Matt (5 February 2017). "Daisy the new female mascot". melbournefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- ^ "AFLW star joins AFLPA Board". AFL Players Association. 7 March 2017. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ^ Black, Sarah (17 August 2024). "'Just weren't good enough': Dees aim to bounce back after finals failure". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ "AFLW life members inducted". Melbourne Football Club. 7 December 2024. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Daisy Pearce". La Trobe University. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "La Trobe honours Distinguished Alumni". La Trobe University. 12 November 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ Bunn, Anthony (12 November 2019). "La Trobe University has honoured Bright-raised AFLW player Daisy Pearce and Voices for Indi co-founder Alana Johnson". The Border Mail. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Players to watch – Daisy Pearce: Vic". AFL Community. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ^ Jolly, Laura (26 June 2013). "Eltham midwife No. 1 pick in women's draft". Herald Sun. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Caffrey, Oliver (28 January 2021). "Demons' Pearce ready for AFLW's new normal". Seven News. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Burt, Sarah (2 February 2024). "Collingwood star: 'We really need full-time coaches' in AFLW". ESPN. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Seventh Big Freeze raises more than $10m despite virus disruption for second year". The Age. 14 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Gibson, Ben (19 October 2022). "Bid for Reach | Pearce donating milestone guernsey". melbournefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
External links
- Daisy Pearce at AustralianFootball.com
- Living people
- 1988 births
- People from Bright, Victoria
- Melbourne Football Club (AFLW) players
- All-Australians (AFL Women's)
- Australia women's international rules football team players
- Darebin Falcons players
- Australian rules football commentators
- Women sports commentators
- Australian rules footballers from Melbourne
- People from Eltham, Victoria
- AFL Women's coaches