MELBOURNE will unfurl its inaugural premiership flag ahead of its Round 1 clash against Collingwood, with former premiership captain Daisy Pearce returning for the special event.

The club’s season-opening match against the Pies on Friday 1 September will see the Dees give a final nod to their premiership before beginning their title defence in season 2023.

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Six Demons will lead the unfurling, with Pearce set to walk alongside Jane Lange, Debbie Lee, Brooke Patterson, Rachel Stinear and Mandy Horsburgh, a member of The Demon Army.

The six participants will be involved as recognition for their immense contribution to Melbourne’s women’s program.

The game will take place at IKON Park, with the first bounce scheduled for 7:20pm. Gates will be open from 4pm, with fans encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30pm ahead of the special unveiling.

Get to know those involved in the flag unfurling and their impact on the club and its women’s program…

Daisy Pearce

Daisy Pearce’s impact on the game is hard to put into words, but it goes beyond statistics and accolades.

After a 12-year stint with the Darebin Falcons where she was part of 10 premierships across her almost-200 game career, Pearce played a crucial role in the development of the AFLW competition, establishing herself as a pioneer of women’s football.

She joined the Demons in 2016 as one of two marquee players for the club and was later named the inaugural captain of their women’s side during the initial season in 2017.

After six seasons of leadership, three All-Australian selections, three club best and fairest awards, Pearce led the Demons to the ultimate success in season seven when the Demons won their inaugural AFLW premiership.

Pearce retired at the beginning of 2023 but has left a lasting legacy on both the club and the league.

Jane Lange

Jane Lange flies under the radar when it comes to those publicly recognised for their impact within women’s football, but her level of influence within the space has been rightly celebrated by all those who have worked alongside her.

Leading the space from as early as 2007, Lange played alongside Pearce at the Darebin Falcons, captaining and coaching the side to two of eight premierships. She then moved on to coaching football academies and was involved in the exhibition matches in 2017.

Highly respected among the footy world, Melbourne senior coach Mick Stinear saw Lange’s talent and got her on board to be assistant coach for the club’s women’s team from the second AFLW season in 2018.

Lange worked hard to help establish the program and built it into what it’s known for today. After being promoted to senior assistant coach in 2022, she celebrated Melbourne’s inaugural AFLW premiership before stepping away from the role to spend more time with family.

Debbie Lee

Debbie Lee is arguably one of the most important figures when it comes to creation of the AFLW.

Lee played 302 games in the VWFL before introducing Melbourne to women’s football and kickstarting the exhibition matches between the Dees and Bulldogs, the matches which ultimately led to the formation of the AFLW.

She was Melbourne’s Women’s Football Manager during the inaugural season of the league and after nine years at the club, she departed for the Western Bulldogs to continue her positive work within the space as General Manager, Women’s Football in the red, white and blue.

In 2021, Lee was recognised for the immense level of work she’s put into football, becoming the first female inducted in the AFL Hall of the Fame.

Brooke Patterson

Brooke Patterson has been an important individual within the Demon history from the initial conversations and development of the nation-wide women’s league.

First pulling on the red and blue in 2017, Patterson was part of Melbourne’s inaugural AFLW team and played three seasons for the Dees across 2017, 2018 and 2019.

While her playing career had come to an end in 2019, Patterson’s journey with the Dees would continue for two more years, moving into a development coach role for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Rachel Stinear

Rachel Stinear is the wife of Melbourne’s AFLW senior coach Mick Stinear and like Mick, has been along for the AFLW journey from the very start.

While not in an official role at the club, Rachel has been an extension of the football program, there for the highs and lows of the Dees the past seven years.

Throughout the seven years, Rachel and Mick have welcomed two children, Fitzroy and Jack, into the club and have helped build the much-loved family culture at the Dees.

Mandy Horsburgh | Demon Army Member 

Melbourne will recognise its important supporter group The Demon Army by extending an offer to Mandy Horsburgh, a member of the group, to join the flag unfurling.

The Demon Army have been leaders within the women’s supporter bases, jumping on board and driving the fan engagement for Melbourne’s AFLW team.