INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day is a time where women across the world are celebrated for their achievements while also being a point of action to build support for women’s rights.
In Melbourne Football Club’s long history, there has been countless moments, led by the women of the club, that have helped shape it into what it is today.
From breaking down barriers, to standing tall in male-dominated spaces, from creating opportunities for others to encouraging the next generation. Women in sport have always and will continue to be pillars of inspiration for so many.
This year, as part of International Women’s Day, we looked back at some of those special moments and celebrate the women involved in propelling the sport forward.
Women’s football exhibition games – 2013
Melbourne took its first step into women’s football in 2013, putting a team forward for the exhibition games against the Western Bulldogs. The opening match, played on June 29, marked the first time two women's sides had competed under the banners of AFL clubs. A crowd of 7,518 fans watched the historic game, which Melbourne won by 35 points.
The exhibition matches ran for four years between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, with the winner receiving the Hampson-Hardeman Cup. The cup was named in honour of women's football pioneers Barb Hampson and Lisa Hardeman, who developed the first women's championships in 1992.
Melbourne’s marquee signings – Daisy Pearce and Mel Hickey – 2016
Ahead of the inaugural AFLW season in 2017, Melbourne was able to sign two marquee players. In July 2016, Daisy Pearce and Melissa Hickey made history, becoming the club’s first two AFLW players.
Pearce had captained Melbourne during the early exhibition matches, while Hickey had also been a part of the red and blue side since the first women’s match in 2013.
Melbourne’s first Head of AFLW – Debbie Lee - 2017
Debbie Lee is a pioneer of women’s football. She was a driving force behind Melbourne’s AFLW program and an integral part of its establishment.
Lee first joined the Demons in 2009, initially as the club’s community manager. She was a fundamental voice in introducing Melbourne to women’s football, and helped shape the club’s inaugural season of AFLW as Women’s Football Manager.
Aliesha Newman wins Goal of the Year – 2018
Former Demon Aliesha Newman won the club’s first AFLW goal of the year in 2018. Newman's win came at the conclusion of the second AFLW season after her Round 2 goal at Casey Fields wowed audiences.
Jane Lange steps in as first female senior coach for Melbourne Football Club – 2021
Assistant coach Jane Lange became the club’s first female senior coach, stepping in for Mick Stinear, who had opted to not travel with the team while he awaited the arrival of his second child. Facing Fremantle in Western Australia, Lange led the Dees to a five-point win at Fremantle Oval.
Lange is a well-known figure within the women’s football space having been involved as both a player and coach for more than 10 years at the Darebin Falcons in addition to her work at Carlton and Melbourne.
Tyla Hanks receives Rising Star Award – 2021
In just her third season, Tyla Hanks was crowned the Rising Star of the AFLW in 2021. Hanks was just 21 at the time but was already making herself known as one of the league’s best.
She averaged 19 disposals per game during the 2021 season, amassing over 22 touches on five occasions, and becoming one of Melbourne’s most important players.
Kate Roffey appointed first female President of Melbourne Football Club – 2021
Melbourne’s first female President was appointed in 2021 with Kate Roffey taking the reins after being on the club’s board since 2013.
During Roffey’s time as President, the club saw a number of successes including an AFL premiership, an AFLW premiership and a McClelland Trophy.
Georgia Campbell joins the club as the first father-daughter pick – 2021
In 2021, Georgia Campbell became the club’s first father-daughter pick. Campbell, the daughter of former Demon and Bulldog Adrian, joined the club via 2021 AFLW Draft and has since gone on to play 20 games for the Dees.
First AFLW side to reach 100 points – 2022
During season six of the AFLW, Melbourne once again made history by becoming the first AFLW team to score 100 points in a single game.
The achievement came during Round 9 when the Dees had travelled to Optus Stadium to face Fremantle. Melbourne finished the match with a score of 107, defeating the Dockers by 88 points. As of March 2025, this score still stands as the highest score in competition history.
Melbourne wins inaugural AFLW Premiership – 2022
In season seven of the women’s competition, Melbourne won its maiden AFLW premiership defeating Brisbane by four points at Brighton Homes Arena. The teams were separated by just 0.3 per cent on the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season, and the game played out like it too, a see-sawing, high-pressure affair with a nail-biting fourth quarter, seeing the Dees come good in the 2.7 (19) to 2.3 (15) result.
Kate Hore and Eden Zanker titled leading goal-kickers – 2023
Melbourne forwards Eden Zanker and Kate Hore took out the title of dual leading goalkickers at the conclusion of the 2023 home-and-away season. They had already made history earlier that year by becoming the first two players to kick 20 goals in an AFLW season. This was the first time a Melbourne player had taken out the honour since the competition began in 2017.
Melbourne wins the McClelland Trophy - 2023
In 2023, the AFL introduced the relaunched McClelland Trophy, recognising the best-performing club across both the men’s and women’s competitions, with the champion club awarded $1 million in prize money.
At the conclusion of the 2023 home-and-away season, Melbourne’s AFL side had finished fourth on the ladder, while Melbourne’s AFLW team finished second on the ladder, meaning that the club had officially won the trophy.
