FOR THE THIRD time in the team’s six-year history, four Demons have made the AFLW All-Australian side.

Libby Birch, Tayla Harris, Daisy Pearce and Lauren Pearce have all been recognised for their stellar 2022 campaigns, with the full team revealed at the W Awards on Tuesday night.

Melbourne is well represented across all lines of the ground, with Birch kicking things off in defence.

The 24-year-old has been named in the backline of this side for the second time in her career, previously earning the honour in 2020 – her first year at Melbourne after crossing over from the Bulldogs.

Birch was back to her reliable best this season, constantly shutting down the opposition’s best forwards, but also mirroring her 2020 form with ball in hand, averaging 12 disposals and three marks per game.

At the other end of the field, Harris was named in the forward line after kicking a career-high 18 goals in the home and away season – the second-best return out of any player in the league.

Harris joins a rare group in earning her fourth All-Australian selection, becoming the first player to receive the honour at three different clubs (previously Brisbane and Carlton).

Leading the league in contested marks, the 24-year-old had an enormous impact in her first season for the Demons and she will play a crucial role in the club’s Grand Final – the third of her career – this Saturday.

D.Pearce matched Harris’ effort of 43 score involvements for the season to also earn a place in the forward line of this side.

While the club’s skipper is now 33 years of age, she is still just as damaging as she was in the early years of the competition when she received an All-Australian call-up in 2017 and 2018.

Named as a midfielder in those two seasons, D.Pearce has since reinvented herself as a crafty forward, bringing her teammates into the game and slotting 13 goals herself this year.

L.Pearce caps off Melbourne’s influence on this side, being recognised as the game’s best ruck.

The 29-year-old has fought through injury in recent seasons to return to her 2019 form – her first year as an All-Australian – and become one of the most dominant tall footballers in the league.

At 184cm, L.Pearce’s tap-work is prolific, but it’s her impact at ground level that separates her from the rest, averaging 13 disposals per game and the fourth most clearances in the competition.

Tyla Hanks, Shelley Heath and Kate Hore were also members of the All-Australian squad for this season, but missed out on selection in the final 21.