MELBOURNE has made two changes to its list ahead of the next AFL Women’s season, with Lauren Magee and Maeve Chaplin set to depart.

Magee, who signed as a rookie in 2020, has informed the Demons of her decision to step away from the competition, instead focusing on her family, study and Gaelic ambitions back home in Ireland.

The defender made her AFLW debut in Round 4 of the 2021 season and went onto play 11 games for the club.

Melbourne AFLW list manager Todd Patterson thanked Magee for her contribution over the past two years.

“It’s always challenging for international athletes, so we are fully supportive of Lauren’s decision to step away from AFLW,” he said.

“We thank Lauren for all that she sacrificed in trying to learn a new game a long way from home.

“We wish her all the best in her future pursuits, particularly with Dublin.”

Chaplin marked the Demons’ second change on Tuesday, with the club unable to offer her a new contract.

The defender joined Melbourne as a replacement player in January and, while she didn’t feature at AFLW level in her time at the club, was a regular contributor for Casey.

“Maeve did a great job coming in so late, joining us on the eve of Round 1, and had an immediate impact on the group,” Patterson said.

“She had a couple of setbacks, which really impacted her ability to settle into the system, but the energy and character she brought made her very quickly a much-loved member of the club.

“Unfortunately, having an additional player on our list made it difficult to juggle how many available spots we had leading into the Draft, where we have to make three mandatory selections.

“We still think Maeve has plenty to offer the competition and don’t anticipate her being absent from AFLW for very long.”

Tuesday marks the official opening of the AFLW Sign and Trade Period, running through to Wednesday 8 June.