THE AFLW world is made up of many unique journeys, but arguably none quite as unique as Melbourne defender Maeve Chaplin.

It was just two years ago when Chaplin was first signed by the Dees, only to be delisted by the club a few months later.

Now, after a career-best season, the 22-year-old has put her name in the mix of the top defenders in the league.

“It is a unique journey, and I'm really grateful for it, I think it's shaped me to be the person I am,” Chaplin said.

“I missed out on two drafts when I was 18 and 19, then got signed as a replacement player.

“Then I got delisted, then drafted again in that same year – the 2022 seasons - and then won a premiership.

“It's a unique start to a football career, but I honestly wouldn't change it. It's going to always make me work hard knowing that nothing comes easy.

While it’s been an increase of impact with each season that she’s been at the club, 2024 saw her skyrocket to new levels of talent.

To put her rise into simple numbers - at the end of 2023, she had averaged eight disposals and 3.8 intercepts.

In 2024, she finished the season averaging 6.7 intercepts (10^th in the league) and 13.6 disposals, with a disposal efficiency of 78.7% (a team high).

Rather than just a player in the Melbourne backline, Chaplin’s name became known among the league, recognised for her strength and power in the defensive contest.

For the Demon, the season she put together was both a surprise and also a reward for effort, having put in an off-season of hard work.

“I wasn't really expecting it to skyrocket the way it did,” Chaplin said.

“I worked really hard in the off-season, so I feel like it's a surprise, but I also feel like I earned it.

“[In previous years] I had glimpses of really enjoying being a professional athlete and maturity came with it, the maturity of wanting to work hard.

“In the off-season, it's very easy to have fun with your friends and stuff, and that's all well and good, but I realised that there was something that I was really craving, and it was working hard and being known internally as a good athlete.

Her increased influence at the Dees isn’t as simple as the above statistics though, with the once junior Demon taking on further responsibility in 2024.

After a number of senior defenders exited the club at the conclusion of last season, it was the likes of Chaplin, Tahlia Gillard and Shelley Heath who embraced fresh responsibility.

The existing backline welcomed new Demons into the line-up in addition to a new coach of Matt Brewer – formerly the midfield coach.

“I think that [backline] connection came quite naturally,” Chaplin said.

"Brew was the VFLW coach and a few of us defenders played in the few VFL during pre-season, so that helped our coaching to player connection.

“For the new players and the young players that came through, I felt like it was really easy to slot in with the core group of the backline that has been here since probably that premiership season – Gab, Goldie, Tahlia, Heater, myself and Lampy.

“There were no expectations for them to come in and be stars, you’re just there to be a good teammate and that's all we really ask of each other.”

A number of injuries and consecutive losses combined, the Dees had a disappointing start to their 2024 season, but only narrowly missed out on finals after winning four of their last five games. 

“It was obviously a bit disappointing because we could have made finals if the footy gods worked in our favour,” Chaplin said.

“But with the type of season we had, it didn't necessarily allow us room to get a bit more of an edge across the competition and get more percentage and points.

“We would have loved to be playing finals, but I think as a group, I’m pretty proud of us for what we've overcome and what we've been able to achieve.

“So, we’re disappointed to not make it, but looking forward to season 2025 and hopefully having a good crack.”