INS – Pearce, Mackin, S.Taylor (AFLW debut)
OUTS – Pisano, Hill (omitted), Paxman (managed)
MELBOURNE has made three changes to its starting side as it searches for its fourth consecutive win.
Lauren Pearce, Blaithin Mackin and Saraid Taylor have all been named as inclusions for the Saturday night game, the Dees set to face the Tigers at Casey Fields.
It’s exciting news for Demon duo Pearce and Mackin, who both come back after a stint on the sidelines due to injury. The two both successfully completed full training on Thursday to prove their fitness and return to the team.
The selection news also comes as an exciting opportunity for Taylor, who will make her AFLW debut. Taylor has been a valued contributor since joining the Dees at the start of 2023 and will add height and athleticism to Melbourne’s backline.
Paxy Paxman will miss the Week 8 game, with the club’s AFLW High Performance Manager Sam Batterton providing an update on the Demon.
“Paxy has been battling a foot concern and while it isn’t progressing to become worse, she has pulled up sore from the game on Sunday,” Batterton told Melbourne Media.
“She’ll be managed this week due to that concern, but we’ll look to have her available in the coming weeks.
“While it’s a tricky position for a player to be in, Paxy has been doing really well with tipping into the team and helping them be their best, and as we saw last week, she was able to play an important role on-field, so we’re hopeful to see her back in the short-term.”
Grace Hill and Alyssia Pisano have been omitted with Pisano named on the emergency list alongside Jemma Rigoni and Lily Johnson.
Saturday’s game will be a Kids Takeover bringing exciting new opportunities for fans to enjoy game day including a fun-filled Kids Zone featuring face painting, food trucks and entertainment. Grab your tickets for Week 8 here.
Melbourne will wear its 2024 Pride guernsey, in a show of solidarity with Richmond. Both sides will pull on their respective designs, which celebrate diversity and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities, following homophobic remarks on social media directed at Tiger Kate Dempsey.
Check out the full team below.
