IN a new exciting collaborative countdown, Rookie Me Central has teamed up with other independent media organisations to bring a 2022 AFL Women’s Top 50 Countdown. Every weekday from now until December 17, a new player will be named starting from 50th down to 1st, stemming from a combined eight Top 50 submissions. Among those who submitted Top 50s include Siren Sport‘s Gemma Bastiani, Women’s Australian Rules Football (WARF) Radio‘s Peter Holden, and a combined Outer Sanctum team’s Top 50.

Today we continue our countdown with number 35, Melbourne Women’s Daisy Pearce.

Whilst the AFL Women’s in its current form might only be five seasons old, one of the faces of the league, and indeed long before it, was Daisy Pearce. The Melbourne superstar was arguably the game’s first larger-than-life role model both on and off the field for when the dreams of an elite level competition came true. There were many pioneers before her, but when the league kicked off, she was considered the top star in the competition. Since then, Pearce has continually defied the odds, returning after having twins and missing the 2019 season.

Whilst numbers-wise her first two seasons were among the very best in the league, Pearce not only returned, but found herself playing various roles, first as more of a half-back and wing, then even spending time forward where she slotted three goals last season – doubling her career total. Whilst the 33-year-old might not be picking up the 22 disposals she did in the foundation year, but she is just as crucial to Melbourne’s list with the role she plays. Adding in her natural leadership and what seems to be a transition into coaching – as well as media – post-career, Pearce is one of those players you know will always be around football.

From a list perspective, Pearce was one who found herself in a variety of spots, making six of the eight lists, and going as high as Top 20 on three lists, and then mid-to-late 30s on the other three. As a whole she slotted into 35th and still remains a crucial player for the Demons, and one who will help guide the younger players as she has in past seasons.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL’S 2022 AFL WOMEN’S TOP 50

#50 Ash Brazill(Collingwood) | ARTICLE
#49 Tayla Harris (Melbourne) | ARTICLE
#48 Courtney Hodder (Brisbane) | ARTICLE
#47 Eden Zanker (Melbourne) | ARTICLE
#46 Kirsty Lamb (Western Bulldogs) | ARTICLE
#45 Tyanna Smith (St Kilda) | ARTICLE
#44 Breanna Koenen (Brisbane) | ARTICLE
#43 Dana Hooker (West Coast) | ARTICLE
#42 Georgie Prespakis (Geelong) | ARTICLE
#41 Breann Moody (Carlton) | ARTICLE
#40 Hayley Miller (Fremantle) | ARTICLE
#39 Emma King (North Melbourne) | ARTICLE
#38 Dakota Davidson (Brisbane) | ARTICLE
#37 Meghan McDonald (Geelong) | ARTICLE
#36 Stacey Livingstone (Collingwood) | ARTICLE
#35 Daisy Pearce (Melbourne)

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