TEAMMATES, friends, housemates, opposition.
Lily Mithen and Kate Hore’s relationship has evolved over the past eight years and 2024’s trade period saw that evolution take a whole new meaning.
Mithen, who played 82 games in the red and blue, headed north during last year’s trade period in a deal that saw Melbourne receive selection No.2 and No.20.
The 27-year-old had joined the Demons ahead of the inaugural season in 2016, with Hore signing on two years later.
They quickly became important figures for the club and each other, teammates but also friends, living and playing footy together.
Their Dees journey saw them hit various milestones alongside one another, the biggest being Melbourne’s inaugural AFLW premiership in November of 2022.
Two years later, Mithen’s next step in her career was weighing up the option to leave Melbourne for a fresh start at another team, while Hore was set to continue as Dees skipper for a third season.
The club’s AFLW documentary ‘Forged in red and blue’, released earlier this year, provided a new insight into Mithen’s trade, with Melbourne’s former AFLW List Manager Todd Patterson reflecting on the type of person she was for the Dees.
“We had to sit and wait for Lil’ to say what was best for her, and we were really happy for her to stay,” Patterson said.
“She’s a heart and soul player, so if that worked out, then we felt we were in a great position either way.”
As it played out, Mithen chose the Gold Coast Suns as her new home, the trade going through smoothly.
“This club has meant the world to me for the last nine years. It has been my second home, and has been my favourite place to be,” Mithen told Melbourne Media following the trade.
“I’d like to thank my teammates and coaches, the club as a whole and of course the Dees faithful for making my time in the red and blue the most incredible ride. It’s a journey I’ve absolutely adored, and I could not be more grateful for what I have been able to experience and achieve.”
Having been there for much of Mithen’s football career, Hore said it was a hard adjustment but was ultimately proud of her friend for taking the leap.
“She was one of my first mates at the clubs, she's my best mate. We've gone through so many highs and lows together, been there for it all, we're like family,” Hore said.
“When I found out, it was very emotional. When you play on the same team and you share so many, amazing memories together, you just kind of want that to go forever.
“At the end of the day, Lil's been an amazing servant of this club. She will always be a Melbourne person and I'm really proud of, for her making the decision that she made.”
While the dust has well and truly settled on Mithen’s move north, this weekend the connection will be reignited as the Dees and Suns get ready to battle it out in Round 7.
Mithen will no doubt be welcomed back to Casey Fields with open arms, but this time as the opposition to beat.
“100% I’d want to play her, she's like my sister, you just you want to beat her,” Hore said.
“But then it'll be all love off the field.”
Dees fans wanting to be there for the reunion can purchase tickets here.
All those in attendance at Casey Fields on Friday will also go into the draw to win two Toyota AFL Grand Final tickets for Saturday. More information on this can be found here.
