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Demons thrash Tigers to lock in AFLW finals; Eagles re-sign coach Daisy Pearce

Melbourne bounces back from surprise loss to secure a finals berth, while West Coast ties the trailblazing coach until 2028

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
Melbourne secured an AFLW finals berth with a dominant 94-32 win over Richmond in Pride Round on Friday night, while West Coast announced they have re-signed coach Daisy Pearce for a further two seasons, keeping her at the club until at least the end of 2028.

The Demons bounced back emphatically from their first-ever loss to Gold Coast last week. Coach Tom Wilson said before the match that the side understood last week was "far from our best performance" and that they had been given "a bit of a lesson" around the contested ball.

The victory at Ikon Park saw Melbourne finish with 14.10 (94) to Richmond's 5.2 (32), ensuring a return to finals football.

Meanwhile in the west, the Eagles have locked in coach Daisy Pearce for two more seasons after guiding West Coast to their maiden AFLW finals appearance last year. The club endured a tough 0-4 start to this season but has since won four of its past five games, keeping finals hopes alive with three rounds remaining. Pearce is in her third season as head coach.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Melbourne's return to form locks in a finals spot, keeping the Demons in premiership contention after a shock loss threatened their run.
  • Daisy Pearce's long-term re-signing provides stability for a West Coast side that has historically struggled in the AFLW, and signals the club's commitment to building sustained success.
  • With three rounds remaining, the finals picture remains fluid, adding intrigue to the run home.

Background

AFLW's ninth season is approaching its final rounds. Melbourne entered this season as one of the stronger sides, while West Coast had posted an 0-4 start but have recovered strongly. Daisy Pearce is a prominent figure in the women's game, having played for Melbourne and been a key voice in the league's development before moving into coaching.

Key Perspectives

Melbourne Demons: The club has rebounded from a rare defeat to book a finals berth and will look to build momentum. West Coast Eagles: Re-signing a high-profile coach like Pearce is a statement of intent, and the club is now in striking distance of the finals after a rocky start. Richmond Tigers: Friday's heavy defeat will test their resolve, and they must regroup quickly to keep their own finals hopes alive.

What to Watch

  • West Coast's next three games to see if they can convert the recent run into a finals berth.
  • Melbourne's form heading into the finals after the bounce-back performance.
  • How Richmond responds after the resounding loss.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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