MELBOURNE has named stars Daisy Pearce and Melissa Hickey as its two marquee players in the lead-up to next year’s inaugural AFL women’s league.
It was expected Pearce would be named, given she has captained Melbourne since 2013 and is now a full-time staff member at the club, while Hickey has also been part of the red and blue side since the first AFL women’s match three years ago.
Hickey said it was “a massive thrill” to continue her football career with Melbourne.
“I’ve been part of the Demons since 2013, so it’s going to be really special to continue that journey and hopefully I’ll be a one-club player as well,” she said.
“Melbourne has been crucial in getting this women’s competition up, so it really means a lot to me to be able to stay with the club.
“It’s been a bit of a process, but it’s all official now and I’m really, really happy.”
Hickey said it was a goal to become a marquee player.
“I really did want to be a marquee player and it’s been almost 12 months in the making, in terms of hard work. I’ve employed the services of [Melbourne strength and conditioning team manager] Rob Jackson since October last year and had a massive pre-season,” she said.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and we’ve become semi-professional athletes now. I finished up my work a couple of weeks ago, more because it wasn’t something I was passionate about and footy has become my passion.
“I’m looking to getting into the AFL some way and doing some gym work with some female athletes at the moment. We’ll be AFL ambassadors, so that will be part of the role and we’ll spend some time in the community with the Dees, so that’ll be really cool.”
Hickey said it was exciting to be part of a pioneering competition and she couldn’t wait for it to start early next year.
“Playing in summer will be really nice, given it’s the depth of winter at the moment,” she said.
“Having a summer comp will be really unique and it’ll be great to travel with the team and having access to the elite facilities and really being able to build a culture from scratch.
“We’ve had a side since 2013, and Daisy and I have been there, but it’s going to be a historic journey.”
Regarded as one of the best defenders in the game, Hickey sees herself playing as a half-back for Melbourne.
“I’ve being playing through the middle a bit at Darebin as well and rotating between the two, which I’ve really enjoyed,” she said.
“The challenge will be to play on the best forwards every week, which I’m really excited about.
“I’m looking forward to building a strong, solid defence and create a bit of attack off that half-back line as well.”
Melbourne’s marquee players
Daisy Pearce
Age: 28
Midfielder
Melbourne captain: 2013, 2014, 2015
Selection No.1 in 2013 Draft
Captain Darebin Falcons
8 x premiership player
4 x Victorian player
4 x All-Australian
6 x VWFL Premier Division B&F – Helen Lambert Medal
Day job: Previously a midwife and now an Intern with Melbourne FC
Pearce is an intelligent footballer, quick decision-maker and effective passer of the ball by hand or foot. She frequently runs her opposition off their legs with her elite endurance and work ethic. She is the most decorated player in the game, having been an All-Australian four times at National Championships, a six-time Helen Lambert medallist for best player in the VWFL and two-time best on ground player in exhibition matches.
Mel Hickey
Age: 31
Defender
Selection No.11 in 2013 Draft
3 x Victorian player
4 x premiership player with the Darebin Falcons
2 x All-Australian
Grew up in Mildura, a distant relation to Geelong great Reg Hickey
Day job: fitness consultant
Hickey is one of the best defenders in the game having represented Melbourne three times in exhibition matches. She has an aggressive attack on the ball and tries to hurt her opponent by running off and attacking at any opportunity.
