AFLW legend Daisy Pearce announces retirement

Melbourne Demons captain Daisy Pearce, a trailblazer for AFLW, has decided whether she will play on in 2023.

Melbourne captain and trailblazer Daisy Pearce has announced she will hang up the boots after 55 AFLW games and a fairytale premiership win.

An emotional Pearce fronted the media alongside Melbourne coach Mick Stinear on Wednesday morning to announce her retirement, thanking Stinear, her teammates and club staff.

“It’s been an emotional time getting to this decision,” she said.

“I’m closing a chapter on my playing career with a very full heart.

Daisy Pearce enjoyed the perfect end to her career, pictured with Melbourne coach Mick Stinear after winning the club’s first AFLW flag against Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena in November. Picture: Getty Images

“I will miss the whole program and players and staff. This has probably been the hardest thing in making this decision.”

Pearce led the Demons for their first two seasons in the AFLW competition before she stepped away in 2019 to give birth to her twins, Sylvie and Roy.

She returned in 2020 to lead Melbourne through four more seasons, bowing out on a high with the Dees’ first flag in a nailbiting finish against Brisbane in November.

Pearce was a three-time All-Australian. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Pearce was selected for the All-Australian team on three occasions, starring in the midfield and at halfback before she shifted forward in her final two seasons to great effect, claiming her third AA gong in the early 2022 season.

Between 2006 and 2017, Pearce won 10 premierships with VWFL powerhouse Darebin Falcons. Picture: Supplied

She won three Melbourne best-and-fairests in 2017, 2018 and the first 2022 season.

The Channel 7 commentator, who is also set to begin a coaching position at Geelong this year, had a long and decorated career in the Victorian Women’s Football League with Darebin Falcons, where she won an incredible 10 premierships in 12 years.

From 2013, Pearce starred in annual exhibition games playing for Melbourne against the Western Bulldogs, helping to raise the profile of women’s AFL and pave the way for the inaugural AFLW season in 2017.