Daisy Pearce

Melbourne captain and AFLW pioneer Daisy Pearce will start as an assistant coach at Geelong in 2023 after announcing her playing retirement after seven ...

One of the things I am going to grieve the most is I am a soon-to-be 35-year-old mother of two and I can go there and carry on like an 18-year-old,” Pearce said. However, she knew she would miss the football club and the environment created. Pearce said she was looking forward to putting in more time with her family, husband Ben O’Neill and twins Sylvie and Roy. “It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make,” Pearce said. “It’s been an emotional time getting to this decision. Pearce, 34, was a trailblazer of the AFLW competition.

Melbourne AFLW champion Daisy Pearce has announced her retirement to draw a close on one of the game's most legendary careers. Pearce confirmed the decision ...

So, to have pulled on the red and blue Melbourne jumper and to have been a part of our first AFLW premiership in the first season where every AFL club had a women’s team representing it, and to know that this competition is only getting bigger and better, is something I cherish. The players, coaches, club staff, volunteers and most importantly our passionate supporters who have been there for the journey. “Winning the flag last season almost made the decision harder as footy for me was never about the big moments or the trophies. It has played a big part in shaping who I am. After a storied 200-match career in the VFLW, Pearce made her AFLW debut in 2017 as one of Melbourne’s inaugural players and booted a total of 25 goals from her 55 games. That is what I love and will miss the most.

Melbourne captain hangs up boots after seven years with club · Pearce will join Geelong men's AFL coaching set-up.

“For Daisy, it caps off a remarkable journey and career.” “Winning the flag last season almost made the decision harder as footy for me was never about the big moments or the trophies. She won three club champion awards and three All-Australian selections, and was voted by her peers as the AFLW’s best captain on four occasions. That is what I love and will miss the most.” Pearce is viewed as a trailblazer for the women’s game, having been drafted as the Demons’ first player ahead of the AFLW’s inaugural season in 2017. The Melbourne captain on Wednesday announced she had made the “very difficult” decision to retire, two months after capping her already decorated career with a first premiership flag.

Roger Rasheed on Nick Kyrgios pulling out of Australian Open ... With a “full heart”, an emotional Daisy Pearce has finally announced her retirement from the AFLW ...

She commentates for Channel 7 and has a full-time coaching role lined up with the Geelong Cats. Before the AFLW came into existence, Pearce won a staggering 10 premierships with the Darebin Falcons (seven times as captain), seven league best and fairests in the VWFL, and VFL Women’s (VFLW) competitions and was a five-time Darebin best and fairest winner. “Closing the chapter on my playing career with a very full heart, not just because we ticked the premiership box in the season just gone, but because of a career I’ve loved and cherished. Stream them all for free on She is a three-time All Australian (once as captain), a three-time Melbourne best-and-fairest winner, and has a premiership medal to her name. This all after being a pioneer of the women’s game and helping the AFLW grow from its infancy.

Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce has today announced her retirement from the AFLW. The 34-year-old hangs up the boots as a trailblazer in the young ...

there was also an element of overall satisfaction and that the chapter in my life is a full one. That’s probably been the hardest thing in making the decision. “I think there was a bit of an assumption that it was, ‘Win it and I’m done or lose it and I might have to consider going again’, but in fact the satisfaction of last season and the enjoyment and the closeness of the bonds we’ve formed, it actually made it harder and more confusing to step away.

Melbourne premiership captain Daisy Pearce says an unusual feeling of contentment prompted the end of her trailblazing AFLW...

give a bit back to the family," she said. I don't think I could have quite met my own personal standards." "So as the weeks ticked by post-season, whilst there was definitely little spurs of thinking about going back-to-back ... "But grateful that I have worked really hard to maintain balance in the rest of my life so I am not in a period of great uncertainty and wondering who I am now. "I have finished with the emotions of losing a big part of me and something I have loved so much," Pearce said. "But in fact the satisfaction of last season and the enjoyment and the closeness of the bond that we have now formed, it actually made it a bit more confusing and harder to step away.

AFLW icon Daisy Pearce has announced her retirement after seven seasons at Melbourne, and an even longer VFLW career.

Picture: AFL Photos there was also an element of overall satisfaction.