MELBOURNE women’s team captain Daisy Pearce says she was pleased with the mix of players selected at the 2015 AFL Women’s Draft.

With both Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs required to delist all but six players from their lists, a deep talent pool of both new and AFL-experienced players was on offer.

While some former Demons were drafted to the Bulldogs, Pearce said she was excited to take the field alongside some new faces in 2015.

“I think we went really well – there were plenty of good players to pick from so we were never going to do badly with the nominees that were there,” Pearce said.

“It was a bit sad to see some of the players I really enjoyed playing with and really respect as footballers pick up their Western Bulldogs jumper. So that was a bit disappointing but that’s the nature of it at the moment.

“In the same [vein], it’s really good to have some of the girls that we had to worry about playing against last year now playing on our side.

“ So I really look forward to that and then really excited about some of the new talent coming through in this draft, I’ve heard some really good wraps on some of the kids that weren’t involved last year so I’m looking forward to playing with them.”

One of those new talents is ruck Danielle Goding, who Melbourne snapped up with their first selection – pick no. 2 overall.

Goding is set to face off against Bulldogs skipper Aasta O’Connor in the ruck and Pearce said she expected the new recruit to be able to stay with her Darebin teammate.

“I know she’s very physical and I think that’s something that will be a good matchup for Aasta,” she said.

“I see it every week where people will try and jump up against Aasta and she’ll win a lot of the time which gives her first use of the ball.

“But I think what Danielle will bring is that physicality and while she may not win all of the taps – it might be an even split – at least Aasta won’t have the joy of tapping it exactly where she wants it, which I think will be really vital, and hopefully we can set up from there.”

When looking at the new recruits, Pearce reserved particular praise for former Bulldog and her Darebin teammate Elise O’Dea, who Melbourne snapped up with pick no.8.

“I know she’s been a diehard Melbourne member so I think she’ll just give that extra little bit in red and blue,” Pearce said.

“She’s a great player and always has been very skillful and I think this pre-season I’ve seen her come a long way, having played club footy with her.

“She’s put a lot of work into her fitness and also into her defensive transition and the defensive side of her game.

“So I think it’s just going to make her a much better player and I’ve already seen it playing club footy with her that she’s come a long way and I think she’ll have a lot to give and a lot to offer for Melbourne this year.”

Pearce also touched on the re-drafting of midfield young gun Ellie Blackburn (pick no. 6) and the recruitment of former Bulldogs defender Lauren Morecroft (pick no. 24).

“It’ll be great to have Ellie Blackburn back out there again… it’s difficult to make those delisting decisions when you can only keep six players, when you’ve had someone like Ellie play so well,” Pearce said.

“So it was quite a relief to get her back in there and she adds quite a bit of class to our midfield, which you always need.

“One of the players that I think we’re lucky to have is Lauren Morecroft… she’s just one of those really uncompromising defenders.

“She’s great overhead and she’s got a really penetrating kick, so I think she’ll be a real asset to our backline.”

Eight West Australians also joined Melbourne’s list at the draft, with no. 4 draft pick Kiara Bowers leading the way, and Pearce said she expected the inclusions to add plenty of run and carry to the side.

“They add a different style of footy – I know it’s very different to the way Victorians play footy – the way the WA girls do,” Pearce said.

“Victoria seems to play a much more contested brand of footy so I think that’ll be complemented well by the running ability of a lot of those WA players.

“So I think hopefully we’ve got the balance right.”