TEAM connection is at the core of Melbourne’s AFLW group, says coach Mick Stinear.
“We’re trying to create consistency in our competitiveness and our team spirit,” Stinear told media following the Demons’ 49-point win over Gold Coast on Saturday.
“We know what we’re going to get from each other, that’s been our key focus.
“We’re not trying to focus on the outcome and we're not trying to play a perfect brand of footy. We’re trying to play for each other, week in, week out.
“Someone like Daisy has done that her whole career, so tonight was about replicating that and building that consistency.
“That’s two weeks in a row now we feel like we’ve brought that and we don’t want to shy away from it, we want to keep building.”
The Demons’ Saturday win marked their seventh of the season, seeing them push to second on the overall league ladder.
The match was a high-pressure contest with Melbourne executing a four-quarter performance led by its engine room stars in Olivia Purcell (32 disposals) and Eliza West (19 disposals).
“I’m really pleased with the effort of the team tonight,” Stinear said.
"Half-time gave us some time to address things…probably just being cleaner and quicker to get the ball forward, that helped.
"As a collective, I think the midfield group did really well and Maggie Caris coming in and playing her role tonight was pleasing to see.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a good, contested team. There were moments of it being a grind, but [I was] really pleased to see the teamwork through the game and finish strongly."
The game was a particularly special occasion with the team's captain Daisy Pearce celebrating her 50th game in the red and blue.
Stinear, who has worked closely with Daisy over the past seven seasons, spoke to the importance of Pearce and the impact she's had on both the league and the club as a whole.
"She's such an inspiring person and she's given so much to the whole AFL industry," Stinear said.
"It was really great to be able to celebrate her, as someone who often flies under the radar and doesn't like the attention.
"I love working with her, she's a brilliant footballer and an even better person."
