MELBOURNE will celebrate its 100th AFLW game this weekend, when it faces Brisbane in a Qualifying Final at IKON Park.
Take a walk down memory lane and remember some of the iconic matches from our first 99 matches in the women's game.
2017 NAB AFLW Season
Melbourne v Brisbane Lions, Round 1, Casey Fields
Melbourne 1.4.10 – 4.1.25 Brisbane
Melbourne’s first ever AFLW game, fittingly played at home at Casey Fields, unfortunately didn’t end in a win for the red and blue. However, it still provided plenty of iconic moments.
Captain Daisy Pearce led out the Dees for the first time, with Melbourne’s first goal being kicked by Jasmine Grierson. Paxy Paxman was a clear best on ground, with 24 disposals, three tackles, and six clearances.
2018 NAB AFLW Season
Melbourne v Collingwood, Round 4, TIO Traeger Park
Melbourne 3.6.24 – 9.4.58 Collingwood
Although the game ended in a loss for the Dees, it was nonetheless a thrill for AFLW to make its mark in the heart of the nation, Alice Springs.
Melbourne’s connection to Arrernte Country is strong, having played AFL matches in Alice Springs since 2014. However, this marked the first time AFLW had been played at the iconic ground.
Elise O’Dea and Paxy Paxman were standouts, while young Kate Hore looked potent in the forward line.
2019 NAB AFLW Season
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne, Round 6, Marvel Stadium
Bulldogs 6.2.38 – 5.9.39 Melbourne
It was a nail-biting thriller, when Melbourne took on traditional rivals the Western Bulldogs under the roof at Marvel Stadium.
In front of over 10,000 fans, it was a must-win game to keep Melbourne’s finals hopes alive under the now-defunct conference system.
As always, it was the reliable Paxy Paxman who kept the Dees in the hunt, with 24 disposals, seven tackles, and eight clearances.
2021 NAB AFLW Season
Melbourne v Fremantle, Qualifying Final, Casey Fields
Melbourne 5.10.40 – 3.5.23 – Fremantle
2021 heralded Melbourne’s first opportunity to play in a real finals series, after the shortened 2020 season.
The Dees’ Qualifying Final win over the Dockers put the red and blue in their first ever Prelim, with the team conquering the windy conditions at Casey Fields.
Maddie Gay, Brenna Tarrant, Shelley Scott and Alyssa Bannan were dominant in the forward line, while stand-in Captain, Paxy Paxman, put on a masterclass with 20 touches, five tackles, and four clearances.
2022 NAB AFLW Season 6
Fremantle v Melbourne, Round 9, Optus Stadium
Fremantle 3.1.19 – 16.11.107 Melbourne
It’s a record that hasn’t yet been broken – Melbourne’s largest ever AFLW winning margin.
There were plenty of other records broken that day, with the Demons becoming the first AFLW team to score over 100 points in a game, and Daisy Pearce becoming the fourth ever player to kick five goals in a single match.
Alongside Pearce’s five majors, other influential forwards included Kate Hore (3), Tayla Harris (3), Paxy Paxman (2), Casey Sherriff, Shelley Scott, and Alyssa Bannan.
Melbourne’s powerhouse midfield was in full force, with Eliza West (24 disposals), Lily Mithen (24), Olivia Purcell (23), and Tyla Hanks (21), all displaying their prowess.
2022 NAB AFLW Season 6
Adelaide Crows v Melbourne, Grand Final, Adelaide Oval
Adelaide 4.5.29 – 2.4.16 Melbourne
Melbourne’s first ever AFLW Grand Final appearance might have finished in heartbreak, but it lay important foundations for what was to come just a few months later.
As expected, it was a high intensity match with the Dees forced to work hard to close the gap with the Crows.
Melbourne’s defensive line had to withstand enormous pressure, with Sinead Goldrick and Gab Colvin judged some of the best on field.
2022 NAB AFLW Season 7
Adelaide Crows v Melbourne, Round 1, Stratarama Stadium
Adelaide 4.2.26 – 6.8.44 Melbourne
Round 1 meant only one thing – redemption.
Just 139 days after the Grand Final loss, the Demons returned to South Australia with one thing on the mind.
The Dees held off a resolute Crows outfit in a hectic and pressure-filled contest befitting of the occasion, with Eliza West (25 disposals), Paxy Paxman (24), Olivia Purcell (22) and Tayla Harris (1 goal, 13 touches) outstanding for the Dees.
2022 NAB AFLW Season 7
Brisbane Lions v Melbourne, Grand Final, Brighton Homes Arena
Brisbane 2.3.15 – 2.7.19 Melbourne
Melbourne fans will never forget the day that the Demons won their first ever AFLW flag.
The Dees came into the game as underdogs but emerged champions, with the iconic moment of Daisy Pearce and Mick Stinear holding the Premiership Cup aloft etched into history.
Other exceptional moments from the game include Tayla Harris’ goal that put the Dees in the lead, and Tyla Hanks’ iconic mark with just 25 seconds to go that saw her crash into the deck, gripping the Sherrin.
It was a bittersweet day, with Daisy Pearce announcing her retirement after the game, but leaving a legacy that Demon fans will never forget.
2024 NAB AFLW Season
St Kilda v Melbourne, Week 7, RSEA Park
St Kilda 5.0.30 – 6.8.44 Melbourne
The challenging fixture of season 2024 saw Melbourne play three games in just ten days, including two in the same week.
Depleted from injury, the beginning of the season was one of the most challenging the team had experienced to-date.
However, through hardship came resilience, and the Dees managed to turn around their fortunes in the back half of the 2024 season.
The team were spurred on by the return of powerful midfielder Olivia Purcell, who played in a mask after suffering a shocking face fracture in a practice match earlier that year.
It was a gusty and determined win over the Saints, which was incited by pure Demon Spirit.
2025 NAB AFLW Season
Geelong Cats v Melbourne, Round 12, GMHBA
Geelong 6.9.45 – 9.5.59 Melbourne
Although Melbourne had already sealed themselves into finals contention, this was nonetheless an important game to solidify a top-2 position and show the competition what the Demons could do.
Tahlia Gillard provided a big highlight when she kicked her first AFLW goal in her 46th match, running from behind Megan Fitzsimon while her teammate lined up for a set shot, and slotting truly when she received the handball.
Proving that the Demons could win on the road, it sets the team up for an exciting four weeks of finals footy that could culminate in the ultimate prize.
Melbourne take on Brisbane this Sunday, 9 November, at IKON Park at 1.05pm. Make sure to be in the stands as the Demons Bring the Heat this finals series. Tickets are available here.
