LIKE majority of the league, Maeve Chaplin has taken part in two AFLW seasons this year.

But her 2022 journey is a unique one.  

The 20-year-old began her AFLW career at the start of January, signing to the Demons late into the pre-season as a replacement player.

While she was impressive on the track and at VFLW level, the young defender couldn’t break into the AFLW side and was delisted at the conclusion of Melbourne’s season six campaign.

Fast forward one month to the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft and Chaplin would find her way back at the Dees, drafted with pick No.44.

And she didn’t have to wait long this time to get among the on-field action, debuting in Melbourne’s Round 1 side against the reigning premiers where she quickly made her mark, matching up against some of the top players in the league.

Since then, the Demon has missed just one game throughout the season, cementing herself as a consistent contributor in the Melbourne backline.

There’s no arguing it’s been a rollercoaster journey for Chaplin, but it’s one that she says she wouldn’t change.   

“I think about it often, from where I was when I got delisted to where I am now,” Chaplin told Melbourne Media.

“It’s been such a crazy year, it’s almost like I’ve had two years in one.

“And my development has been so much faster than I expected [this season].”

Chaplin explained that a major factor to her fast-tracked progression in season seven was her notable displays during the VFLW Finals Series, where she helped the Casey Demons reach their inaugural Preliminary Final.

“I think that finals series really helped with my mental confidence,” Chaplin said.

“It made me realise I really wanted this, and I wanted to be a consistent player.

“So, when I got drafted, I didn’t just want to be on an AFLW list, I actually wanted to be in the final team consistently, that was something I really wanted to work hard towards.

“And now I feel like I’m on a path where every game is a new opportunity for me, I’m not looking at it fearful anymore.

“I’m actually doing what I love to do and I’m getting better while doing it.”

The powerful defender has refined skills and a competitive nature that often drives the energy of the backline, making her an important asset on game day. 

Hard work and the guidance of her defensive peers has been at the forefront of Chaplin’s season seven, with extra days in at the club and education from players and coaches leading her towards improvement.

“It’s helped me so much putting in extra time into every part of being an athlete,” Chaplin said.

“Even in my off days, I’ll come into the club, do extras, see the physio and that’s what’s allowed me to perform.

“It also helps working in the backline alongside the likes of Libby, Lampy, Goldie, Mads, Tahls, Heathy, everyone in defence.

“Likewise, you can’t not develop when you’re training against some of the best forwards in the league too.

“And Tam [Hyett] is one of the best coaches, she’s so easy to talk to.

“She’s not afraid to tell you what you need to do but at the same time she’s always the first to reassure you that you’re doing a good job.

“She’s helped my development immensely with her education in match vision and her willingness to answer any of my questions.”

As the group prepares for their preliminary final match against North Melbourne on Saturday, Chaplin says this season’s Demon Spirit mentality has been the key to the team’s overall game plan.

“The connection we have allows us to trust each other with anything,” Chaplin said.

“We all realised this season; that we want to be the best, but we can have fun being our best.

“Having fun through working hard actually creates our best footy.

“We’re all in a good headspace heading into Saturday, where in that this past week didn’t feel like it was a week off, it was more of a week to fine tune everything and be in the best shape we can be.

“Everyone is super keen to play this weekend and put to work what we’ve been focusing on.”