AFTER a ‘down’ year by Melbourne’s lofty standards, one of the best sides in AFLW history grabbed a top three player for the second year in a row and now has the future core that will see the Demons rise back up the ladder in the near future.

LAST SEASON IN A NUTSHELL

Position: 9th
Wins: 6
Losses: 5

B&F: Kate Hore
Leading Goalkicker: Alyssa Bannan (12 goals)

OFF-SEASON MOVES

Ins: Amelia Dethridge (Cross-coder/AFLW Draft)), Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers/AFLW Draft), Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle/AFLW Draft), Laela Ebert (injury replacement player/North Adelaide)
Outs: Rhi Watt (retired), Lily Mithen (Gold Coast), Grace Hill, Delany Madigan (delisted), Aimee Mackin (inactive, ACL), Jacinta Hose (inactive, back)

2025 TEAM LIST

#1 Georgia Campbell
#2 Olivia Purcell
#3 Alyssia Pisano
#4 Paxy Paxman
#5 Tyla Hanks
#6 Alyssa Bannan
#7 Tayla Harris
#8 Sarah Lampard
#9 Georgia Gall
#10 Kate Hore
#11 Molly O’Hehir
#12 Ryleigh Wotherspoon
#13 Maeve Chaplin
#14 Amelia Dethridge
#15 Lauren Pearce
#16 Grace Beasley
#17 Tahlia Gillard
#18 Denby Taylor
#19 Laela Ebert+
#20 Maggie Mahony
#21 Aimee Mackin*
#22 Eliza McNamara
#23 Sinead Goldrick
#24 Megan Fitzsimon
#25 Jacinta Hose*
#28 Saraid Taylor
#29 Eden Zanker
#30 Shelley Heath
#31 Blaithin Mackin
#32 Gabrielle Colvin
#33 Lily Johnson
#34 Lauren Jatczak+
#43 Jemma Rigoni
#44 Madison Ibrahim+

*inactive
+injury replacement players/top-up players

ONES TO WATCH

Key Player: Kate Hore
Breakout Potential: Alyssia Pisano
New Recruit: Molly O’Hehir

A superstar who did not miss a beat stepping up to fill the shoes of legend Daisy Pearce, Kate Hore was one of the most consistent players going around when it came to winning the ball and hitting the scoreboard regardless if she was midfield or forward. She has the explosive Molly O’Hehir with her now whose athleticism and versatility will make her a fan favourite early days, while last year’s first pick Alyssia Pisano has had the year apprenticeship to adjust to the level and should be ready to kick lots of goals in 2025.

2025 FIXTURE

Round 1: vs. Western Bulldogs | Sat Aug 16 @ Whitten Oval, 7:35pm
Round 2: vs. St Kilda | Sat Aug 23 @ Casey Fields, 3:05pm
Round 3: vs. Collingwood | Sun Aug 31 @ Victoria Park, 1:05pm
Round 4: vs. Richmond | Sat Sep 6 @ Casey Fields, 12:35pm
Round 5: vs. Port Adelaide | Sat Sep 13 @ Alberton Oval, 3:05pm
Round 6: vs. West Coast | Sun Sep 21 @ Casey Fields, 1:05pm
Round 7: vs. Gold Coast | Fri Sep 26 @ Casey Fields, 1:05pm
Round 8: vs. Essendon | Fri Oct 3 @ Ikon Park, 7:15pm
Round 9: vs. Fremantle | Sun Oct 12 @ Fremantle Oval, 5:05pm
Round 10: vs. Sydney | Sat Oct 18 @ Casey Fields, 1:05pm
Round 11: vs. Brisbane | Sat Oct 25 @ Brighton Homes Arena, 7:15pm
Round 12: vs. Geelong | TBC @ GMHBA Stadium

PREDICTION

Melbourne has too much quality on its list to not be around the mark in 2025. While still building on the run with plenty of youth coming in, a number of players who were injured or limited in games last year return which should see a boost up the ladder. Not out of the realms of possibility to be a top four contender, with the bottom half of the eight seemingly around the mark with an easier start to the year but a tough last month.