NARROWLY missing out on the 2024 AFLW finals was a hard reality to accept for Melbourne captain Kate Hore, but not for the reason you'd think.

Despite the Dees having made every finals series since 2020, Hore wasn’t disappointed with this expectation in mind.

Instead, she felt it most disappointing as Melbourne was playing some of its best footy in the lead up to finals, the team’s trajectory looking as though it was only going to get better.

“It was a bit of a weird feeling because we felt like we were going really well, but then we just missed out,” Hore said.

“I feel like it was such a positive way to end the season, and I guess that, in some ways, makes it a little bit harder that we're not there.

“We really felt that we were getting our brand of footy back.

“So, to be able to finish like that and build on that momentum into next year is really positive.”

The Dees finished their season with a 47-point win over Collingwood, doing all that they could to put themselves in finals contention.

But after a tricky start to their campaign, their impressive run in the back half of the year just wasn’t enough, with Essendon securing the final spot inside the top eight.

Melbourne started its 2024 with a strong victory over Geelong, but it wasn’t long before injuries hit and tough competition saw the side concede four consecutive losses, leaving the chance of premiership success harder to reach.

“It was obviously a really challenging period,” Hore said.

“I guess we faced a lot of highs and lows. It was a bit of a rollercoaster season, but I think, to be honest, it's going to hold us in good stead for the future.

“We learned a lot of lessons and I was so proud of the way that our young girls were able to step up and some of our emerging young players, the way that they kind of took the group and continued just to show up week in, week out.

“Even though the results weren't going our way, I feel like we never dropped our heads too much and at the end of the day, I don't see this season as a failure whatsoever.

“I see it as a year of learning and growing and something that's going to be really good for the future.”

Melbourne managed its injuries by welcoming five AFLW debutants and four club debutants into the red and blue.

While they didn’t see many wins throughout the early part of the season, it gave young players opportunities to understand the step up to AFLW, both speed, physicality and game plan of all that is needed at that next level.

In addition to the new Demons stepping up, it also provided the team’s former junior players to take on further responsibility, now no longer considered that young cohort.

“It was such a great learning experience for all of them,” Hore said.

“Now we've been able to build a lot of that trust and connection with a new group of players and evolve our game style.

“I think we saw enormous growth and development from girls like Eliza McNamara, Alyssa Bannan, Maeve Chaplin.

“They all took huge strides in their game this year, not just on the field, but off the field too.

“They were big contributors in meetings and with that positive attitude and keeping this group driving forward.

“I was super proud of those girls and the development that they took this year, and again, that's just going to be something that's going to hold us in good stead moving forward.”

Hore, the 2023 leading goal-kicker, had a different year in more ways than one, making a transition to the midfield.

She spent the pre-season working on this new role, working closely alongside existing midfield stars like Tyla Hanks and Olivia Purcell.

While her impact wasn’t as heavily on the scoreboard, the 29-year-old continued to be an integral cog in Melbourne’s machine, averaging 18.5 disposals (career high) and kicking eight goals across her 10 games.

“With the nature of how this season played out and the different injuries, it kind of allowed people to play in different positions…and to be able to play a little bit more midfield time was nice,” Hore said.

“It was really good in the pre-season to be able to add another position to my skillset and be able to learn off some of the other mids.

“Playing midfield is obviously quite different to playing forward. My forward craft is something that I've been working at for a long time, and probably something that comes a little bit naturally to me.

“So, learning that craft in the midfield, the running patterns, different stoppage craft. I relied heavily on Vin [Chungue], [Tyla] Hanks, Loz [Pearce], Liv [Purcell], I’m lucky to to work with a lot of those girls.”

In her second year as captain, having taken the reins after the departure of footy pioneer Daisy Pearce in 2022, Hore said it’s a role that she’s really started to wholly embrace.

“I feel like I've grown in myself as a leader,” Hore said.

“I think the first year coming in, I was just kind of feeling my feet, finding out the way that I was going to lead this group. Whereas coming in this year, I think I felt just a little bit more comfortable in the role.

“I’ve really just tried to own it, and work with the other leaders in Hanksy and Paxy [Paxman],  [Sarah] Lampard, and then alongside Mick [Stinear] as well.

“I think leadership is something that you just continue to evolve in. I don't think you're ever kind of set in your ways, but it's something that I'm growing in and, hopefully it's something I can continue to grow.”