The AFL Congratulates Daisy Pearce
Daisy Pearce will be regarded as one of the key players in the creation of the AFLW competition and an all-time great of women's football, according to AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan.
Pearce, who helped Melbourne win the AFLW championship in November with a victory over the Brisbane Lions in her final game at Springfield, confirmed her retirement from football today.
Three-time Demons Best and Fairest winner McLachlan claimed Pearce's influence on the development of the AFLW went well beyond her exceptional performance as a player and captain.
"Daisy has an unmatched on-field record, as a 10-time VFLW champion player and then as the first captain of the AFLW, leading Melbourne for every year of her career, excluding the one year she missed for the birth of her twins, Sylvie and Roy."
Beyond her football skills, she has borne a tremendous weight in marketing the game and the tournament since before its birth. She is extremely skilled and has a remarkable ability to read the game, making her one of the outstanding players from day one.
"Daisy has been a vital figure in the development of the AFLW competition as THE motivation for millions of young girls to follow their goal of playing football, and sport owes her a tremendous debt for her commitment to constantly stand up for women's football.
"Daisy was one of many pioneers who constantly lobbied, pushed, and drove for the proper respect and support to be given to the women's game and the 18-team competition that is now present when she was growing up in country Victoria, where there was no elite competition to aim for beyond her teen years.
She has increased the chances presently open to women off the field with her excellent media criticism of the game, and she will undoubtedly be in demand as a coach and mentor for the next generation of budding players, both male and female.
"On behalf of the AFL, we thank Daisy for her dedication and career success as a player and look forward to her continuing to play an important role in our sport for many more years to come."