THE 2025 AFLW season has come to an end which means it’s now time to turn our attention to awards season and crown the club’s best and fairest Demon.
This year’s Daisy Pearce Trophy will be awarded on Sunday 7 December with the ceremony set to take place at the W Melbourne.
A number of players have put together career-best seasons so the count will no doubt be an exciting one. Let’s take a look at the contenders to take out the top honour.
Tyla Hanks
It’s been a career-best campaign for Hanks, whose consistency has become the weapon to her game. The smooth-moving Demon stood out this season, playing a key role as both a tough inside mid and the silky transition outside the contest. She hit career-high numbers across the stats sheet averaging 23 disposals, seven tackles and 4.5 inside 50s and capped off her year with a maiden All Australian selection.
Kate Hore
The powerful midfield-forward mastered her dual role this season, solidifying herself as one of the most impactful players in the competition. Hore kicked 24 goals from 15 matches, the third highest tally across the league and became the second player to reach 100 career goals. She also averaged the most disposals of her career at 21 touches per game and became a four-time All-Australian at the end of the season.
Maeve Chaplin
In Chaplin’s first season as a leader, she embraced the newfound responsibility, cementing herself as one of the best defenders in the competition. The rebounding Demon worked seamlessly exiting the backline, excelling in both her strength at the contest and intercepting ability. She averaged a career-high 18 disposals and 8.5 intercepts (fourth highest in the league) and finished the season with a maiden All Australian selection.
Tayla Harris
After a season on the sidelines in 2024, Harris returned to her best footy this season, her high-flying skills and scoring impact a key to Melbourne’s game. Her marking power across the year culminated in three mark of the year nominations, becoming one of three finalists for the overall award. She converted 16 goals over 15 games and averaged close to four marks alongside four score involvements.
Eden Zanker
The tall forward continued her dominance inside 50 this season, kicking 22 goals across 14 games, including a five-goal haul during Round 6. Zanker’s aerial prowess was integral forward of centre, the Demon averaging close to four marks a game. This year also saw Zanker transition further up the ground with midfield minutes added to her resume.
Shelley Heath
The hard-hitting Heath added midfield mastery to her tool kit in 2025, becoming a much-needed force through the centre of the ground. Having already made a name for herself as a defender, this season saw her become a further danger to the opposition, her relentless attitude to the contest a standout. She averaged career-highs of seven tackles and 16 disposals per game.
