Compare the Pair: Emma Kearney and Daisy Pearce
EMMA Kearney and Daisy Pearce are two of the most recognisable faces of not just Victorian women’s footy, but women’s footy in the entire country.
Both were also originally midfielders whose role has diversified over the years into more of a forward role, but how do they stack up against each other? Let us take a look at the stats to compare.
HONOURS:
Emma Kearney: 1x AFLW Best and Fairest (2018), 4 x Shinboner of the Year (2019-2022), 6 x All Australian (2016 – present), 1 x Best Clubwoman (2020), 1 x AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (2018), 1 x Premiership Player (2018), 3x Club Champion 2nd Place (2019, 2020, 2021), 1 x Club Champion 3rd Place (2022)
Daisy Pearce: 3 x Best and Fairest (2017, 2018, 2022), 3 x All Australian (2017, 2018, 2022), 1 x State of Origin Representative (2017), State of Origin Best on Ground (2017), 4 x AFLPA Best Captain Award (2017, 2018, 2020, 2022)
CAREER SO FAR:
With both being long time stalwarts of women’s footy, both Kearney and Pearce were always going to be hot property come the start of AFLW.
Arguably the face of women’s footy at the time, Pearce was ultimately one of Melbourne’s inaugural marquee players alongside the now retired Melissa Hickey.
Kearney on the other hand was the only priority signing for the Western Bulldogs back in 2016.
Despite their different paths onto an AFLW list, both players have become key parts of their respective teams, with both currently the captain of their respective sides.
Both are among the most respected players in the league, and both are set to reach the magical 50 game mark this season. Kearney is in line to reach it in Round 1, while Pearce is just seven games behind her after sitting out the 2019 season due to pregnancy.
CAREER STATISTICS:
| STATISTIC | PEARCE | KEARNEY |
| Kicks | 9.4 | 12.8 |
| Handballs | 4.9 | 7.3 |
| Disposals | 14.4 | 20.1 |
| Disposal Efficiency | 62% | 66% |
| Marks | 2.1 | 3.2 |
| Tackles | 3.3 | 3.9 |
| Clearances | 1.5 | 4 |
| Metres Gained | 191.1m | 340.5m |
| Goal Assists | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Goals | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Behinds | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Inside 50s | 1.8 | 3.6 |
| Marks inside 50 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Rebound 50s | 1.2 | 2.4 |
| Tackles inside 50 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
SUMMARY:
As you can see, in just about every stat Kearney’s figures are higher than Pearce’s however when it comes to the process of scoring, it is Pearce who takes the lead. Whether this is because Kearney plays higher up the ground then Pearce normally does remains subjective.
One thing to remember about Pearce’s game in particular is her influence off the ball. Watch any Melbourne game and it is hard to miss the leadership role Pearce plays at both ends of the ground. Pearce provides the role of an extra coach out on the field for the Dees.
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