Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Daisy Pearce

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Featured article}}
{{short description|Australian rules footballer (born 1988)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Daisy Pearce
| image = Daisy Pearce S7 prelim.jpg
| alt = Pearce interacting with fans after a game
| caption = Pearce post-match with Melbourne in 2022
| fullname = Daisy Pearce
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|05|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bright, Victoria]], Australia{{efn|name=birthplace}}
| originalteam = {{VFLW Dar}} ([[VFL Women's|VFLW]])
| draftpick = [[2016 AFL Women's draft#Marquee signings|2016 marquee signing]]
| debutdate = Round 1, 2017
| debutteam = {{AFLW Mel}}
| debutopponent = {{AFLW BL}}
| debutstadium = [[Casey Fields]]
| height = 170cm
| position = [[Australian rules football positions#Midfield|Midfielder]] / [[Australian rules football positions#Back line|defender]]
| years1 = 2017–2022 (S7)
| club1 = {{AFLW Mel}}
| games_goals1 = 55 (25)
| nationalyears1 = 2006
| nationalteam1 = [[Australia women's international rules football team|Australia]]
| nationalgames_goals1 =
| sooyears1 = 2017
| sooteam1 = [[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria]]
| soogames_goals1 = 1 (1)
| coachyears1 = 2024–
| coachclub1 = {{AFLW WC}}
| coachgames_wins1 = 0 (0–0–0)
| coachstatsend = 
| careerhighlights =
'''AFLW'''
* [[List of AFL Women's premiers|AFL Women's premiership player]]: [[2022 AFL Women's season 7 Grand Final|S7]] ([[Captain (Australian rules football)|c]])
* [[List of Melbourne Football Club captains#AFL Women's|Melbourne captain]]: 2017–2018, 2020–2022 (S7)
* 3× [[AFL Women's All-Australian team]]: [[2017 AFL Women's All-Australian team|2017]] (c), [[2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team|2018]], [[2022 AFL Women's season 6 All-Australian team|S6]]
* 3× [[Daisy Pearce Trophy|Melbourne best and fairest]]:{{efn|name=DPT}} 2017, 2018, S6
* 4× AFLPA AFLW best captain: 2017, 2018, 2020, S6
* [[Representative matches in Australian rules football#AFL Women's State of Origin (2017)|AFL Women's State of Origin]] best-on-ground: 2017
'''VWFL/VFLW'''
* 10× VWFL/[[List of VFL Women's premiers|VFLW premiership player]]: 2006, 2007, 2008 (c), 2009 (c), 2010 (c), 2013 (c), 2014 (c), 2015 (c), 2016 (c), 2017
* Darebin captain: 2008–2016
* 6× Helen Lambert Medal: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
* [[Lambert–Pearce Medal|VFL Women's best and fairest]]:{{efn|Later named the [[Lambert–Pearce Medal]] partly in her honour<ref name=LPM/>}} 2016
* 2× Lisa Hardeman Medal: 2005, 2014
* 5× Darebin best and fairest: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
}}

'''Daisy Pearce''' (born 27 May 1988) is a former [[Australian rules football]]er who played for the [[Melbourne Football Club#AFL Women's team|Melbourne Football Club]] in the [[AFL Women's]] (AFLW) and is the current AFLW senior coach of the [[West Coast Eagles (AFL Women's)|West Coast Eagles]].

Often regarded as the face of [[women's Australian rules football]],<ref name=face1/><ref name=face2/><ref name=face3/> Pearce served as [[List of Melbourne Football Club captains#AFL Women's|Melbourne captain]] from the competition's inaugural season in 2017 until her retirement at the end of season 7,{{efn|Pearce did not captain the club during the 2019 season, which she missed due to pregnancy.<ref name=2019resigned/>}} having previously captained the club in the [[AFL Women's#Women's exhibition games (2013–2016)|women's exhibition games]] staged prior to the 2016 creation of the league. She captained [[Victoria Australian rules football team#AFL Women's|Victoria]] in the inaugural [[Representative matches in Australian rules football#AFL Women's State of Origin (2017)|AFL Women's State of Origin]] match in 2017, where she was adjudged best afield.

Pearce began her state league career in 2005 with the [[Darebin Falcons]] in the [[Victorian Women's Football League]] (VWFL), captaining the club from 2008 to 2016 and playing roughly 200 games until her final match in 2017. She is a ten-time premiership player (seven times as captain), seven-time league [[best and fairest]] winner in the VWFL and [[VFL Women's]] (VFLW) competitions and five-time Darebin best and fairest winner. She represented Victoria at both under-19 and senior level, and was recruited by Melbourne with the first selection in the [[2013 AFL women's draft|inaugural national women's draft]] in 2013 for the first women's exhibition game.

Pearce was a [[2016 AFL Women's draft#Marquee signings|marquee signing]] for Melbourne's AFL Women's team leading into the competition's first season in 2017. At AFLW level, Pearce is a three-time [[AFL Women's All-Australian team|AFL Women's All-Australian]] (including as captain of the [[2017 AFL Women's All-Australian team|2017 team]] and vice-captain of the [[2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team|2018 team]]) and captained Melbourne to its first [[List of AFL Women's premiers|AFL Women's premiership]] in season 7. She is a four-time AFLPA AFLW best captain and three-time [[Daisy Pearce Trophy|Melbourne best and fairest]] winner, with the latter named in her honour in 2023. The [[Lambert–Pearce Medal|VFL Women's best and fairest award]], of which Pearce was the inaugural recipient in 2016, was also named partly in her honour in 2018.

Following her playing retirement, Pearce transitioned into coaching. She was as a development coach with the [[Geelong Football Club]]'s [[Australian Football League]] (AFL) team in 2023, and will serve as AFLW senior coach of West Coast from the 2024 season.

Outside her playing and coaching career, Pearce became an established media personality in both television and radio. She is an [[Color commentator|expert commentator]] for the [[Seven Sport|Seven Network]] and [[1116 SEN]]'s AFL coverage; she appeared on the Seven Network program ''[[AFL Game Day]]'' as a rotating panel member from 2016 until the show's cancellation in 2020 and hosted her own podcast on SEN, ''This Is Grit'', in 2019.

==Early life==
Daisy Pearce was born on 27 May 1988<ref>{{cite web|title=Daisy Pearce bio|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/Daisy+Pearce/19809|publisher=Australian Football|access-date=4 March 2021|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502222911/https://australianfootball.com/players/player/daisy%2Bpearce/19809|url-status=live}}</ref> in [[Bright, Victoria]],{{efn|name=birthplace|Sources differ regarding Pearce's birthplace; her profile on the former VWFL website lists her birthplace as Bright,<ref name=VWFL>{{cite web|title=#6 Daisy Pearce|url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3068-0-0-0&sID=280026&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=23609986|publisher=[[Victorian Women's Football League]]|access-date=29 April 2016|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118224838/http://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3068-0-0-0&sID=280026&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=23609986|url-status=live}}</ref> while a book by [[Samantha Lane]] states that she was born in nearby [[Wandiligong]].<ref name=roar>{{cite book|last=Lane|first=Samantha|author-link=Samantha Lane|date=29 January 2018|title=Roar: the stories behind AFLW – a movement bigger than sport|location=[[Docklands, Victoria]], Australia|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|page=302|isbn=978-0-14-378874-4}}</ref>}} to parents Daryl and Dee.<ref name=face3/> She has two brothers, Will and Harry; two younger half-siblings, Ruby and Ali, through her mother;<ref name=face3/> and an older half-brother, Aaron, through her father.<ref name=roar/> Her parents separated in 1995<ref name=roar/> and her mother and brothers relocated to the [[Melbourne]] suburb of [[Eltham, Victoria|Eltham]] while Daisy remained with her father in [[Wandiligong]], near Bright in the [[Alpine Shire]] area,<ref name=face3/> where she attended [[Bright P-12 College]].<ref name=VWFL/> When Pearce was a teenager, she returned to live with her mother and the rest of the family,<ref name=face3/> and attended [[Eltham High School]].<ref name=VWFL/>

As a child, Pearce supported the [[Carlton Football Club]], and one of her favourite players was Carlton premiership player and former captain [[Brett Ratten]].<ref name=medal>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=AFLW State of Origin medal comes up Daisy's|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-03/aflw-state-of-origin-medal-comes-up-daisys|website=afl.com.au|date=3 September 2017|access-date=3 September 2017|archive-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903091944/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-03/aflw-state-of-origin-medal-comes-up-daisys|url-status=live}}</ref> She was enrolled in the Vickick program, which later became [[Auskick]], and played junior football alongside boys as a child.<ref name=discouragement>{{cite news|title=AFLW star Daisy Pearce ignored discouragement to forge stellar Australian rules career|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-13/aflw-daisy-pearce-ignored-discouragement-to-play-aussie-rules/12238116|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=13 May 2020|access-date=5 February 2021|archive-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527084452/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-13/aflw-daisy-pearce-ignored-discouragement-to-play-aussie-rules/12238116|url-status=live}}</ref> Her father was a coach at the Bright Football Club, which allowed Pearce to begin training with the under-13 boys team from the age of eight;<ref name=discouragement/> she played alongside her brother Harry<ref>{{cite web|title=Daisy Pearce on women's AFL and your new coffee order|url=https://www.womenshealth.com.au/daisy-pearce-aflw-melbourne-fc-captain/|magazine=[[Women's Health (magazine)|Women's Health]]|date=22 October 2020|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330040310/https://www.womenshealth.com.au/daisy-pearce-aflw-melbourne-fc-captain|url-status=live}}</ref> and future {{AFL Col}} premiership defender [[Ben Reid]].<ref name=face3/> Pearce needed dispensation from the local league to continue playing alongside boys as a teenager,<ref name=discouragement/> but was disallowed, which played a part in her decision to move to Eltham.<ref name=face3/> At high school, she took up [[netball]], tennis and volleyball, making a national youth squad for the latter, before eventually picking up football again.<ref name=face3/>

==Early playing career==

===State league and representative football===
[[File:Daisy clearance 2 VFLWGF17 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Pearce (centre) kicking the ball during the 2017 VFL Women's Grand Final|alt=Pearce kicking the ball under pressure from an opponent]]
Pearce began playing with {{VFLW Dar}} in the premier division of the [[Victorian Women's Football League]] (VWFL) in 2005 at the age of 16, winning the Lisa Hardeman Medal in her first season<ref name=VWFL/> and going on to play roughly 200 games with the women-only football club.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=Fifty AFLW games just a small chapter of the Daisy Pearce story|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/109236/fifty-aflw-games-just-a-small-chapter-of-the-daisy-pearce-story|website=womens.afl|date=15 October 2022|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=14 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014214637/https://www.womens.afl/news/109236/fifty-aflw-games-just-a-small-chapter-of-the-daisy-pearce-story|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, Darebin went through the VWFL season undefeated, defeating {{VFLW MU}} in the grand final, and Pearce was named among the best players in the grand final.<ref>{{cite news|title=VWFL Results – Premier Seniors grand final|url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-3068-0-0-0&sID=55665&articleID=4876596&news_task=DETAIL|publisher=[[Victorian Women's Football League]]|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031509/https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-3068-0-0-0&sID=55665&articleID=4876596&news_task=DETAIL|url-status=live}}</ref> Darebin would go on to win five VWFL premierships in a row, before losing to [[VU Western Spurs|St Albans]] in the grand final in 2011; Pearce, who had by then become captain, was named Darebin's best player in the loss.<ref>{{cite news|title=VU St Albans Spurs win VWFL grand final|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/62770/vu-st-albans-spurs-win-vwfl-grand-final|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=29 August 2011|access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> In 2013 and 2014, Darebin went through both seasons undefeated,<ref name=2014VWFL>{{cite news|last=Cavanagh|first=Chris|title=Darebin Falcons go back-to-back with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/sport/darebin-falcons-go-backtoback-with-victory-over-diamond-creek-in-vwfl-premier-division-grand-final/news-story/57d859fbdb06edc2209106826a83d63a|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=8 September 2014|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=2 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102084352/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/sport/darebin-falcons-go-backtoback-with-victory-over-diamond-creek-in-vwfl-premier-division-grand-final/news-story/57d859fbdb06edc2209106826a83d63a|url-status=live}}</ref> defeating {{VFLW DC}} by 49 points in the 2013 grand final<ref>{{cite news|title=Darebin Falcons win 2013 VWFL Grand Final|url=https://susanalbertifoundation.org.au/darebin-falcons-win-2013-vwfl-grand-final/|publisher=Susan Alberti Foundation|date=10 August 2013|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314164343/https://susanalbertifoundation.org.au/darebin-falcons-win-2013-vwfl-grand-final/|url-status=live}}</ref> and 30 points in the 2014 grand final; Pearce was best afield in the latter.<ref name=2014VWFL/> She featured in Darebin's third consecutive grand final win over Diamond Creek in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cavanagh|first=Chris|title=Darebin Falcons fly to eighth premiership in 10 years with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/darebin-falcons-fly-to-eighth-premiership-in-10-years-with-victory-over-diamond-creek-in-vwfl-premier-division-grand-final/news-story/9d8163b0d4a94fa462e2f337d11b3e3d|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=13 September 2015|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=2 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102110409/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/darebin-falcons-fly-to-eighth-premiership-in-10-years-with-victory-over-diamond-creek-in-vwfl-premier-division-grand-final/news-story/9d8163b0d4a94fa462e2f337d11b3e3d|url-status=live}}</ref> During her career in the VWFL, Pearce won the Darebin [[best and fairest]] award five times<ref name=VWFL/> and the Helen Lambert Medal as the VWFL's best and fairest player six times.<ref name=6HLM>{{cite news|last=Rhodes|first=Brendan|title=Inspirational Bomber's stunning Lambert-Pearce Medal win|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/683141/inspirational-bombers-stunning-lambert-pearce-medal-win|website=afl.com.au|date=7 October 2021|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008222521/https://www.afl.com.au/news/683141/inspirational-bombers-stunning-lambert-pearce-medal-win|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pearce was a member of the [[Australia women's international rules football team|Australian team]] that played against [[Ireland women's international rules football team|Ireland]] in the [[2006 Ladies' International Rules Series]] which, as of 2016, remains the only women's series to have taken place.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holden|first=Peter|title=Reliving the one and only Women's International Rules series 10 years on|url=http://girlsplayfooty.com/2016/11/reliving-the-one-and-only-womens-international-rules-series-10-years-on.html|website=girlsplayfooty.com|date=15 November 2016|access-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317143714/http://girlsplayfooty.com/2016/11/reliving-the-one-and-only-womens-international-rules-series-10-years-on.html|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2007, at the age of 19, she was one of two VWFL representatives, alongside [[Shannon McFerran]], named to play in the [[E. J. Whitten Legends Game]]; Pearce was named in the Victorian team while McFerran was named for the All Stars, marking the first time female players were included in the annual charity match.<ref>{{cite news|last=McClure|first=Geoff|title=Boy oh boy|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/boy-oh-boy-20070604-ge51qt.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=4 June 2007|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=21 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421124643/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/boy-oh-boy-20070604-ge51qt.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce captained the Victoria under-19 team at the [[2007 AFL Women's National Championships]]; she was named in the championships' All-Australian team and won the award for joint-player of the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ford|first=Brent|title=Women's game a step forward for the AFL|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2013/06/28/womens-game-a-step-forward-for-the-afl/|publisher=[[The Roar (website)|The Roar]]|date=27 June 2013|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116182323/https://www.theroar.com.au/2013/06/28/womens-game-a-step-forward-for-the-afl/|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was named in the leadership group for the Victorian senior team at the 2009 championships<ref>{{cite news|last=Catto|first=Leesa|title=Press release: Victorian women's footy team|url=https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/press-release-victorian-womens-footy-team/|publisher=[[Victorian Women's Football League]]|date=1 June 2009|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213220301/https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/press-release-victorian-womens-footy-team/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was again named in the championships' All-Australian team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kites find it tough at national championships|url=https://www.aflnt.com.au/news/2009/kites-find-it-tough-at-national-championships|publisher=[[AFL Northern Territory]]|date=15 June 2009|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214004148/https://www.aflnt.com.au/news/2009/kites-find-it-tough-at-national-championships|url-status=live}}</ref> She was named deputy vice-captain for Victoria at the 2011 championships.<ref>{{cite web|title=Victorian Women's Football League state squad|url=https://aflvic.com.au/victorian-womens-football-league-state-squad/|publisher=[[AFL Victoria]]|date=4 June 2011|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618134254/https://aflvic.com.au/victorian-womens-football-league-state-squad/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Daisy (2) VFLWGF17 (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|Pearce receiving her premiership medallion following the 2017 VFL Women's Grand Final|alt=Pearce shaking hands with a woman onstage as she is presented with a medallion]]
In March 2016, the [[VFL Women's]] (VFLW) was launched and Darebin was named among ten teams from the VWFL to participate in Victoria's new state league competition.<ref>{{cite news|title=VFL Women's fixture release|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388779|publisher=[[AFL Victoria]]|date=21 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160326210300/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388779|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date = 26 March 2016}}</ref> Pearce won the inaugural VFL Women's best and fairest award and played in the first [[List of VFL Women's premiers|VFLW premiership]] in 2016 as Darebin defeated Melbourne University.<ref>{{cite news|title=Darebin Falcons triumph in VFL women's grand final|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/darebin-falcons-triumph-in-vfl-womens-grand-final-20160918-grj1fi.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=18 September 2016|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=4 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104074350/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/darebin-falcons-triumph-in-vfl-womens-grand-final-20160918-grj1fi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She played in Darebin's grand final win over Diamond Creek in 2017, kicking a goal and receiving praise from coach Jane Lange for her leadership and commitment as Darebin won its fifth consecutive state league premiership<ref>{{cite news|last=Cowan|first=Geordie|title=VFL Women's grand final: Darebin claims fifth consecutive flag with win tense win over Diamond Creek|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/vfl-womens-grand-final-darebin-claims-fifth-consecutive-flag-with-win-tense-win-over-diamond-creek/news-story/218f02b8f1e43a7759ad552f730e2350|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=24 September 2017|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110011958/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/vfl-womens-grand-final-darebin-claims-fifth-consecutive-flag-with-win-tense-win-over-diamond-creek/news-story/218f02b8f1e43a7759ad552f730e2350?nk=36c17625592e006ed173113a539e675e-1636507198|url-status=live}}</ref> and tenth in twelve seasons.<ref>{{cite web|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Why the Darebin Falcons will never say die|url=https://womens.afl/features/not-in-our-lifetime-darebin-falcons-photo-essay|website=womens.afl|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212135459/https://womens.afl/features/not-in-our-lifetime-darebin-falcons-photo-essay|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Women's exhibition games===
In May 2013, the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL) announced that a [[AFL Women's#Women's exhibition games (2013–2016)|women's exhibition game]] would be held for the first time during its annual Women's Round, involving AFL clubs {{AFL Mel}} and the {{AFL WB}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dogs to field side in inaugural AFL women's match|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/126103/dogs-to-field-side-in-inaugural-afl-womens-match|website=westernbulldogs.com.au|date=3 May 2013|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031524/https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/126103/dogs-to-field-side-in-inaugural-afl-womens-match|url-status=live}}</ref> Fifty of the top female footballers in Australia were selected in the [[2013 AFL women's draft|inaugural national women's draft]] later that month to play for the two clubs at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] (MCG) in a [[curtain raiser]] to the AFL match between the clubs in June; Pearce was recruited by Melbourne with the first selection in the draft,<ref>{{cite news|last=Pellizzeri|first=Teo|title=Pearce tops women's draft|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/pearce-tops-womens-draft-20130515-2jn0c.html#ixzz2TScAxb10|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=15 May 2013|access-date=16 May 2013|archive-date=7 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607121605/http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/pearce-tops-womens-draft-20130515-2jn0c.html#ixzz2TScAxb10|url-status=live}}</ref> and was later named as Melbourne's captain.<ref>{{cite news|title=Women's exhibition match captains announced|url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3068-0-0-0&sID=56309&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=24176411|publisher=[[Victorian Women's Football League]]|date=20 June 2013|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031537/https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3068-0-0-0&sID=56309&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=24176411|url-status=live}}</ref> She was adjudged best afield with 28 [[Glossary of Australian rules football#D|disposals]] in the first exhibition game, which Melbourne won by 32 points<ref>{{cite news|last=Reed|first=Jacqui|title=Trailblazer Cowan seeking top AFL job|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/77792/lady-demons-grab-historic-win|website=afl.com.au|date=29 June 2013|access-date=16 March 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031518/https://www.afl.com.au/news/77792/lady-demons-grab-historic-win|url-status=live}}</ref> in front of a crowd of almost 8,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Daisy delivers for Darebin, Demons and local mums|url=http://www.health.vic.gov.au/healthvictoria/jul13/daisy.htm|publisher=Health Victoria|date=July 2013|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517141418/http://www.health.vic.gov.au/healthvictoria/jul13/daisy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A second exhibition game between the two clubs, again played as a curtain raiser to the men's match and this time at [[Docklands Stadium|Etihad Stadium]], was announced in June 2014;<ref>{{cite news|title=2014 AFL Women's Exhibition Match – Players available 12pm Tuesday June 24|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/446276/2014-afl-womens-exhibition-match|website=afl.com.au|date=24 June 2014|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031545/https://www.afl.com.au/news/446276/2014-afl-womens-exhibition-match|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players in its 46-point win.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|title=Demons too good for Dogs in women's match|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/446589/demons-too-good-for-dogs|website=afl.com.au|date=29 June 2014|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214084646/https://www.afl.com.au/news/446589/demons-too-good-for-dogs|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2015, the AFL announced that two women's exhibition games would be played that year between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, the first to be played at the MCG in May and the second to be played at Etihad Stadium in August.<ref>{{cite news|last=Twomey|first=Callum|title=Double dose of women's footy in 2015|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/199026/double-dose-of-womens-footy-in-2015|website=afl.com.au|date=12 February 2015|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508131530/https://www.afl.com.au/news/199026/double-dose-of-womens-footy-in-2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players with 23 disposals in the first match, which Melbourne won by eight points,<ref>{{cite news|last=Di Giorgio|first=Giulio|title=Dees claim hard-fought win in women's clash|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/198397/demons-edge-out-bulldogs-in-womens-clash|website=afl.com.au|date=24 May 2015|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407093621/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-24/demons-edge-out-bulldogs-in-womens-clash|url-status=live}}</ref> and was best afield with 30 disposals in the second match, which Melbourne won by four points.<ref>{{cite news|last=Di Giorgio|first=Giulio|title=Women's match: Pearce stars as Demons keep perfect record intact against Bulldogs|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/71177/womens-match-pearce-stars-as-demons-keep-perfect-record-in-tact-against-bulldogs|website=afl.com.au|date=16 August 2015|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302140426/https://www.afl.com.au/news/71177/womens-match-pearce-stars-as-demons-keep-perfect-record-in-tact-against-bulldogs|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, she was named as the inaugural winner of the club's best female player award, polling five out of a possible six votes from the two matches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pearce wins best female player award|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-09-11/pearce-wins-best-female-player-award|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=11 September 2015|access-date=3 March 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091449/http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-09-11/pearce-wins-best-female-player-award|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2016, the AFL announced a ten-match national exhibition series to be played throughout the year,<ref>{{cite news|title=AFL announces 10-match national women's exhibition series to be played in 2016|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-20/afl-announces-10-match-women27s-exhibition-series-for-2016/7186586|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=20 February 2016|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307043220/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-20/afl-announces-10-match-women27s-exhibition-series-for-2016/7186586|url-status=live}}</ref> in which Melbourne played two games against the Western Bulldogs in March and September,<ref>{{cite news|last=Smirnoff|first=Alison|title=AFL's 10-game women's exhibition series announced for 2016|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/zela/article/2016/02/25/afls-10-game-womens-exhibition-series-announced-2016|publisher=[[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]]|date=25 February 2016|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806135826/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/zela/article/2016/02/25/afls-10-game-womens-exhibition-series-announced-2016|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as a match against a {{AFL BL}} women's team at the MCG in May.<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Australian Associated Press]]|title=Melbourne beats Brisbane in AFL women's exhibition match as former cricketer Jess Cameron stars|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-22/demons-crush-brisbanes-afl-women-at-the-mcg/7435456|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=22 May 2016|access-date=14 April 2022|archive-date=14 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414111250/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-22/demons-crush-brisbanes-afl-women-at-the-mcg/7435456|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was best afield with 33 disposals and eleven marks in the first match, which Melbourne lost by 20 points,<ref name=2016game1>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Bulldogs' women's team secures maiden win against Demons|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/158066/bulldogs-womens-team-secures-maiden-win-against-demons|website=afl.com.au|date=6 March 2016|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302140815/https://www.afl.com.au/news/158066/bulldogs-womens-team-secures-maiden-win-against-demons|url-status=live}}</ref> and was named among Melbourne's best players in its 71-point win over Brisbane.<ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Cricket star hits Lions for six in Demon women's big win|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/152972/afl-womens-exhibition-series-melbourne-v-brisbane-live|website=afl.com.au|date=22 May 2016|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302143818/https://www.afl.com.au/news/152972/afl-womens-exhibition-series-melbourne-v-brisbane-live|url-status=live}}</ref> She was Melbourne's best player in its 39-point loss to the Bulldogs in September;<ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Match report: Hope gets Dogs glory against Dees|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/109791/moana-hope-kicks-dogs-to-glory-against-dees|website=afl.com.au|date=3 September 2016|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302144817/https://www.afl.com.au/news/109791/moana-hope-kicks-dogs-to-glory-against-dees|url-status=live}}</ref> the match was watched by an average audience of 387,000 people in Melbourne, which was greater than the average viewing audience for every Saturday night game during the 2016 AFL home-and-away season,<ref>{{cite news|last=Randall|first=Michael|title=Women's AFL All-Stars exhibition game pulls in huge TV ratings|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/womens-afl-allstars-exhibition-game-pulls-in-huge-tv-ratings/news-story/39913b49236c972c351bfcf0daed54ce|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=4 September 2016|access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref> as well as a national audience peak of over one million people.<ref>{{cite news|last=Byrnes|first=Holly|title=Women's AFL exhibition match kicks ratings goal for Channel Seven ahead of finals|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/womens-afl-exhibition-match-kicks-ratings-goal-for-channel-seven-ahead-of-finals/news-story/02bdb05f6ac2c4de82512159dba9ff33|website=[[news.com.au]]|date=4 September 2016|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918111831/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/womens-afl-exhibition-match-kicks-ratings-goal-for-channel-seven-ahead-of-finals/news-story/02bdb05f6ac2c4de82512159dba9ff33|url-status=live}}</ref>

==AFL Women's playing career==

===2017–2019: Midfield seasons and pregnancy===
[[File:Daisy Pearce.3.jpg|upright|thumb|left|Pearce playing for Melbourne in 2017|alt=Pearce running into position]]
In July 2016, Pearce and [[Melissa Hickey]] were announced as {{AFLW Mel}}'s two marquee players for the inaugural AFL Women's season in 2017.<ref name=marquee>{{cite news|last=Sewell|first=Eliza|title=Women's league clubs announce marquee player signings|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/womens-league-clubs-announce-marquee-player-signings/news-story/8331f8b5a8e542fd7b371bf4cefe4744|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=27 July 2016|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907125133/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/womens-league-clubs-announce-marquee-player-signings/news-story/8331f8b5a8e542fd7b371bf4cefe4744|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was announced as the club's first AFLW captain in January 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Lauren|title=Pearce named the Demons' inaugural captain|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-aflw-star-daisy-pearce-named-the-demons-inaugural-captain/news-story/b1cabb244593352861831fccd9b95c51|url-access=subscription|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=14 January 2017|access-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> She made her AFL Women's debut in Melbourne's inaugural match in round 1 against {{AFLW BL}} at the club's home ground, [[Casey Fields]], and was listed among her team's best players in the loss, recording 19 disposals and nine tackles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Lions take the points in AFLW wild weather clash|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-05/match-report-melbourne-v-brisbane-lions|website=afl.com.au|date=5 February 2017|access-date=21 February 2017|archive-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209143804/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-05/match-report-melbourne-v-brisbane-lions|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was among Melbourne's best players in every game for the season;<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Match report: Late surge keeps Demons' season alive|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/112287/match-report-secondhalf-surge-keeps-demons-season-alive|website=afl.com.au|date=11 February 2017|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322071742/https://www.afl.com.au/news/112287/match-report-secondhalf-surge-keeps-demons-season-alive|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=AFLW: Demons far too good for Bulldogs|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/144964/match-report-dees-down-bulldogs|website=afl.com.au|date=18 February 2017|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031531/https://www.afl.com.au/news/144964/match-report-dees-down-bulldogs|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Dees keep AFLW title hopes alive with close win over Blues|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/79064/dees-keep-hopes-alive|website=afl.com.au|date=25 February 2017|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031531/https://www.afl.com.au/news/79064/dees-keep-hopes-alive|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sygall|first=David|title=AFLW: Giants punish Dees for historic first win|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/110258/aflw-match-report-greater-western-sydney-v-melbourne|website=afl.com.au|date=3 March 2017|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322071649/https://www.afl.com.au/news/110258/aflw-match-report-greater-western-sydney-v-melbourne|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Silby|first=Murray|title=Dees keep AFLW Grand Final hopes alive|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/51339/dees-keep-aflw-grand-final-hopes-alive|website=afl.com.au|date=11 March 2017|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031531/https://www.afl.com.au/news/51339/dees-keep-aflw-grand-final-hopes-alive|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Match report: Sharpshooting Dees still have AFLW Grand Final sniff|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/141539/aflw-match-report-melbourne-v-fremantle|website=afl.com.au|date=18 March 2017|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214094219/https://www.afl.com.au/news/141539/aflw-match-report-melbourne-v-fremantle|url-status=live}}</ref> she was named by the [[AFL Players Association]] (AFLPA) as "Player of the Week" for round 4 after recording 29 disposals and six tackles in Melbourne's win against {{AFLW Car}}<ref>{{cite web|title=AFLW Player of the Week: Round 4|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/aflw-player-of-the-week-round-4/|publisher=[[AFL Players Association]]|date=28 February 2017|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228171345/http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/aflw-player-of-the-week-round-4/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was awarded the maximum three votes for the [[AFL Women's best and fairest]] award in Melbourne's round 6 match against {{AFLW Ade}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=NAB AFL Women's Best and Fairest: All the votes|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/90433/nab-afl-womens-best-and-fairest-all-the-votes|website=afl.com.au|date=29 March 2017|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401164124/https://www.afl.com.au/news/90433/nab-afl-womens-best-and-fairest-all-the-votes|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the home-and-away season, she revealed that she played the first two rounds with an injury after sustaining bone bruising and a corked calf in the opening round, and had sat out training for the entire week leading into round 2.<ref name=corky>{{cite news|last=Olle|first=Sarah|title=Pearce has revealed she played the opening fortnight of AFLW with injury|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-marquee-daisy-pearce-has-revealed-she-played-the-opening-fortnight-of-aflw-with-injury/news-story/0145b512db6fd41d8abe5e244d1caeff|work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=22 March 2017|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214145505/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-marquee-daisy-pearce-has-revealed-she-played-the-opening-fortnight-of-aflw-with-injury/news-story/0145b512db6fd41d8abe5e244d1caeff|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the season, Pearce was named captain of the 2017 AFL Women's All-Australian team.<ref name=2017AA>{{cite news|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|title=Lions, Crows dominate AFLW All Australian team|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-28/lions-crows-dominate-aflw-all-australian-team|website=afl.com.au|date=28 March 2017|access-date=28 March 2017|archive-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330220606/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-28/lions-crows-dominate-aflw-all-australian-team|url-status=live}}</ref> She won the inaugural Melbourne best and fairest award<ref name=2017B&F>{{cite news|last=Burgan|first=Matt|title=Pearce wins club best and fairest|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/281087/pearce-wins-club-best-and-fairest|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=2 April 2017|access-date=12 October 2021|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029171723/https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/281087/pearce-wins-club-best-and-fairest|url-status=live}}</ref> and AFLPA AFLW best captain award,<ref name=2017bestcaptain>{{cite web|last=Beaton|first=Robert|title="No one like" the AFLW's Best Captain|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/no-one-like-the-aflws-best-captain/|publisher=[[AFL Players Association]]|date=27 March 2017|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-date=28 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328015714/http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/no-one-like-the-aflws-best-captain/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was one of three Melbourne players nominated by her teammates for the AFLPA AFLW most valuable player award.<ref>{{cite news|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|title=AFLW MVP nominations revealed|url=https://www.aflplayers.com.au/news-feed/stories/aflw-mvp-nominations-revealed|publisher=[[AFL Players Association]]|date=21 March 2017|access-date=25 April 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314203039/https://www.aflplayers.com.au/news-feed/stories/aflw-mvp-nominations-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref> She averaged 21.9 disposals, the most of any player in the inaugural season.<ref name=corky/> Melbourne re-signed Pearce for the 2018 season during the trade and signing period in May.<ref>{{cite web|title=AFLW: All the clubs' full lists after trade period|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-26/aflw-all-the-clubs-full-lists-after-trade-period|website=afl.com.au|access-date=26 May 2017|date=26 May 2017|archive-date=30 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530034636/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-26/aflw-all-the-clubs-full-lists-after-trade-period|url-status=live}}</ref> She then captained Victoria in the inaugural AFL Women's State of Origin match on 2 September in front of a crowd of 9,400,<ref name=stateoforigin>{{cite news|last=Cavanagh|first=Chris|title=Victoria crush The Allies in AFL Women's State of Origin clash at Etihad Stadium|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/victoria-crush-the-allies-in-afl-womens-state-of-origin-clash-at-etihad-stadium/news-story/8391d118dd931796bc12bb58b5bfc5a5|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=2 September 2017|access-date=5 December 2022|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426174406/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/victoria-crush-the-allies-in-afl-womens-state-of-origin-clash-at-etihad-stadium/news-story/8391d118dd931796bc12bb58b5bfc5a5|url-status=live}}</ref> where she was adjudged best afield with 37 disposals in the 97-point win.<ref name=medal/>

[[File:Daisy Pearce 19.01.18.jpg|upright|thumb|Pearce during a pre-season practice match with Melbourne in 2018|alt=Pearce directing teammates during a match]]
In January 2018, Pearce was re-elected as Melbourne captain.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Lauren|title=Daisy Pearce turns trip to Sydney into Melbourne AFLW team bonding|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/daisy-pearce-turns-trip-to-sydney-into-melbourne-aflw-team-bonding/news-story/aaa5f1a177a554d3ba33f134be160daa|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=26 January 2018|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506030037/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/daisy-pearce-turns-trip-to-sydney-into-melbourne-aflw-team-bonding/news-story/aaa5f1a177a554d3ba33f134be160daa|url-status=live}}</ref> She was among Melbourne's best players in four of its first five matches of the season,<ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Match report: Demons win after Giant fright|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-03/match-report-demons-win-after-giant-fright|website=afl.com.au|date=3 February 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901080412/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-03/match-report-demons-win-after-giant-fright|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=AFLW: Impressive Demons keep Crows winless|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/58819/aflw-match-report-melbourne-v-adelaide|website=afl.com.au|date=10 February 2018|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125025521/https://www.afl.com.au/news/58819/aflw-match-report-melbourne-v-adelaide|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=King|first=Travis|title=Match report: Dockers knock off Demons|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/126897/match-report-dockers-knock-off-demons|website=afl.com.au|date=18 February 2018|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=3 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103020712/https://www.afl.com.au/news/126897/match-report-dockers-knock-off-demons|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=AFLW match report: Dees get back on track|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-02/aflw-match-report-dees-get-back-on-track|website=afl.com.au|date=2 March 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901080418/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-02/aflw-match-report-dees-get-back-on-track|url-status=live}}</ref> polling the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes in Melbourne's loss to {{AFLW Fre}} in round 3.<ref>{{cite news|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|title=W Awards: Dogs star named League B&F|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/494/w-awards-dogs-star-named-league-b-f|website=womens.afl|date=28 March 2018|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826123318/https://womens.afl/news/494/w-awards-dogs-star-named-league-b-f|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce polled a game-high nine votes for the [[AFL Coaches Association]] (AFLCA) AFLW champion player of the year award in rounds 1<ref>{{cite web|title=AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 1, 2018)|url=https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2018/20180201|publisher=[[AFL Coaches Association]]|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=4 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304063522/https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2018/20180201|url-status=live}}</ref> and 3<ref>{{cite web|title=AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 3, 2018)|url=https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2018/20180203|publisher=[[AFL Coaches Association]]|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=4 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304063510/https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2018/20180203|url-status=live}}</ref> and the maximum ten votes in round 5,<ref>{{cite web|title=AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 5, 2018)|url=https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2018/20180205|publisher=[[AFL Coaches Association]]|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=4 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304063457/https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2018/20180205|url-status=live}}</ref> and was selected in ''afl.com.au''{{'}}s Team of the Week in the same rounds.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Black|first1=Sarah|last2=Buxton|first2=Aaron|title=AFLW Team of the Week: Three debutants in|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-06/aflw-three-debutants-in-team-of-the-week|website=afl.com.au|date=6 February 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901044515/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-06/aflw-three-debutants-in-team-of-the-week|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Buxton|first=Aaron|title=AFLW Team of the Week: Superstar Crow returns|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-19/aflw-team-of-the-week-superstar-crow-returns|website=afl.com.au|date=19 February 2018|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408031821/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-19/aflw-team-of-the-week-superstar-crow-returns|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Black|first1=Sarah|last2=Saultry|first2=Meg|title=AFLW: Dees own midfield in team of the week|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-06/aflw-three-dees-own-midfield-in-team-of-the-week|website=afl.com.au|date=6 March 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901044602/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-06/aflw-three-dees-own-midfield-in-team-of-the-week|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the season, Pearce was named vice-captain of the 2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team,<ref name=2018AA>{{cite news|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|title=W Awards: Nine named dual All Australians|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-27/w-awards-nine-named-dual-all-australians|website=afl.com.au|date=27 March 2018|access-date=3 February 2019|archive-date=3 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203084952/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-27/w-awards-nine-named-dual-all-australians|url-status=live}}</ref> and again won the Melbourne best and fairest award<ref name=2018B&F>{{cite news|last=Burgan|first=Matt|title=Pearce claims second best and fairest|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/128614/pearce-claims-second-best-and-fairest|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=28 March 2018|access-date=12 October 2021|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029171721/https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/128614/pearce-claims-second-best-and-fairest|url-status=live}}</ref> and AFLPA AFLW best captain award.<ref name=2018bestcaptain>{{cite news|last=Beaton|first=Robert|title=Pearce truly the AFLW's best leader|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/pearce-truly-the-aflws-best-leader/|publisher=[[AFL Players Association]]|date=26 March 2018|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217202327/http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/pearce-truly-the-aflws-best-leader/|url-status=live}}</ref> She was again nominated by her teammates for the AFLPA AFLW most valuable player award.<ref>{{cite news|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|title=AFLW MVP award nominees revealed for 2018|url=https://www.aflplayers.com.au/news-feed/stories/aflw-mvp-award-nominees-revealed-for-2018|publisher=[[AFL Players Association]]|date=21 March 2018|access-date=25 April 2022|archive-date=12 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312144156/https://www.aflplayers.com.au/news-feed/stories/aflw-mvp-award-nominees-revealed-for-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Melbourne signed Pearce for the 2019 season during the trade and signing period in May.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW: Delisted Docker goes coast to coast|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-07/aflw-five-way-deal-ends-trade-period|website=afl.com.au|date=10 June 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922183326/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-07/aflw-five-way-deal-ends-trade-period|archive-date=22 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, on 31 August, Pearce announced her pregnancy with twins,<ref>{{cite news|title=AFLW: Melbourne star pregnant with twins|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-01/aflw-melbourne-star-pregnant-with-twins|website=afl.com.au|date=1 September 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901044428/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-01/aflw-melbourne-star-pregnant-with-twins|url-status=live}}</ref> which would result in her missing the 2019 season; she was retained as an inactive player,<ref name=2019resigned>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Trade and Signing Period wrap: Daisy re-signs with Dees|url=https://womens.afl/news/17843/trade-and-signing-period-wrap-daisy-re-signs-with-dees|website=womens.afl|date=26 April 2019|access-date=26 April 2019|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426095321/https://womens.afl/news/17843/trade-and-signing-period-wrap-daisy-re-signs-with-dees|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Elise O'Dea]] and [[Shelley Scott]] were eventually announced as co-captains in her place.<ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=AFLW: Dees announce co-captains to replace Daisy|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-12-19/aflw-dees-announce-cocaptains-to-replace-daisy|website=afl.com.au|date=19 December 2018|access-date=19 December 2018|archive-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219070638/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-12-19/aflw-dees-announce-cocaptains-to-replace-daisy|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pearce continued to mentor and work with Melbourne players in an unofficial assistant coach role when they returned for pre-season training in November 2018,<ref>{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=On field or off, superstar Daisy is relishing her twin roles|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-16/on-field-or-off-superstar-daisy-is-relishing-her-twin-roles|website=afl.com.au|date=16 November 2018|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116061629/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-16/on-field-or-off-superstar-daisy-is-relishing-her-twin-roles|url-status=live}}</ref> and gave birth to twins in February 2019.<ref name=twins>{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Matt|title=Daisy's double: AFLW superstar's twins arrive early|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-02-18/daisys-double-aflw-superstars-twins-arrive-early|website=afl.com.au|date=18 February 2019|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-date=18 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218091406/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-02-18/daisys-double-aflw-superstars-twins-arrive-early|url-status=live}}</ref> By April, she was back to her playing weight,<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Big names, big moves: 2019 AFLW Trade Period preview|url=https://womens.afl/news/17766/big-names-big-moves-2019-aflw-trade-period-preview|website=womens.afl|date=8 April 2019|access-date=8 April 2019|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408031829/https://womens.afl/news/17766/big-names-big-moves-2019-aflw-trade-period-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> and later that month, she re-signed with Melbourne for the 2020 season.<ref name=2019resigned/> In July 2019, Pearce returned to the club to train three days a week as part of what she called her "pre-pre-pre-season" for 2020, adding that she was surprised by how her body had responded after her twins' birth,<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=She's back: Melbourne superstar returns to training after birth to twins|url=https://womens.afl/news/18184/she-s-back-melbourne-superstar-returns-to-training-after-birth-to-twins|website=womens.afl|date=24 July 2019|access-date=26 July 2019|archive-date=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725203430/https://womens.afl/news/18184/she-s-back-melbourne-superstar-returns-to-training-after-birth-to-twins|url-status=live}}</ref> and resumed training with her Melbourne teammates three weeks later.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Ben|title=AFLW: Daisy's back on track|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-08-14/aflw-daisys-back-on-track|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=14 August 2019|access-date=14 August 2019|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814102447/https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-08-14/aflw-daisys-back-on-track|url-status=live}}</ref> In August, Pearce was announced as an assistant coach to [[Dermott Brereton]] for the Victorian team in that year's E.J. Whitten Legends Game.<ref>{{cite news|title=It's going to go off: Can Cooney and co. stop Jimmy and the Fev express?|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-23/its-going-to-go-off-can-cooney-and-co-stop-jimmy-and-the-fev-express-in-ejx|website=afl.com.au|date=23 August 2019|access-date=23 August 2019|archive-date=23 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823045822/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-23/its-going-to-go-off-can-cooney-and-co-stop-jimmy-and-the-fev-express-in-ejx|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2020–2021: Return to football and position shifts===
[[File:Daisy Pearce 2021 (1) (cropped 2).jpg|upright|thumb|left|Pearce post-match with Melbourne in 2021|alt=Pearce interacting with a fan after a match]]
Pearce was reinstated as Melbourne captain in January 2020. Coach [[Mick Stinear]] said, "With her knowledge of our game plan, and her ability to instruct, support and give feedback on and off the field, she's just the ideal person to lead this group".<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Follow the leader: Your club's 2020 captain and leadership group|url=https://womens.afl/news/18852/follow-the-leader-your-club-s-2020-captain-and-leadership-group|website=womens.afl|date=20 January 2020|access-date=21 January 2020|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230115241/https://womens.afl/news/18852/follow-the-leader-your-club-s-2020-captain-and-leadership-group|url-status=live}}</ref> She ran a personal best time over two kilometres in the lead-up to the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Peter|title=Twin roles and new goals as Daisy makes it back to the AFLW|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/twin-roles-and-new-goals-as-daisy-makes-it-back-to-the-aflw-20200206-p53y7q.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=17 February 2020|access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213231255/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/twin-roles-and-new-goals-as-daisy-makes-it-back-to-the-aflw-20200206-p53y7q.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, Pearce made a successful return to football, playing the first three quarters of Melbourne's practice match win against Collingwood.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Peter|title=Daisy Pearce shows class in comeback, Bulldogs captain injured|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-shows-class-in-comeback-bulldogs-captain-injured-20200125-p53uof.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=25 January 2020|access-date=25 January 2020|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125071426/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-shows-class-in-comeback-bulldogs-captain-injured-20200125-p53uof.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Leading into the season, ''womens.afl'' journalist Sarah Black named Pearce at no. 5 on her list of the top 30 players in the AFLW.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's top 30: Mum's the word for superstar Demon|url=https://womens.afl/news/40286/sarah-black-s-top-30|website=womens.afl|date=2 February 2020|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=9 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209143306/https://womens.afl/news/40286/sarah-black-s-top-30|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce played her first AFLW match in 694 days in Melbourne's win over {{AFLW NM}} in round 1,<ref name=20R1Mercury>{{cite news|last=McFarlane|first=Glenn|title=AFLW: Daisy Pearce's return inspires Melbourne to upset win over flag favourites North Melbourne|url=https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-gws-beats-gold-coast-by-one-point-in-wetweather-slog/news-story/f0c24d81d1e4c600f9769405a09a6880|newspaper=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]|date=8 February 2020|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> playing in a new role as a defender.<ref name=HappyDais>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Happy Dais: The AFLW's biggest name returns|url=https://womens.afl/news/43112/happy-dais-the-aflw-s-biggest-name-returns|website=womens.afl|date=10 February 2020|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322062110/https://womens.afl/news/43112/happy-dais-the-aflw-s-biggest-name-returns|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players in five of its six home-and-away matches for the season;<ref>{{cite news|last=McGowan|first=Marc|title=Match report: Zanker the hero as Dees open 2020 with narrow win|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/42979/match-report-zanker-the-hero-as-dees-open-2020-with-narrow-win|website=womens.afl|date=14 March 2020|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322064932/https://womens.afl/news/42979/match-report-zanker-the-hero-as-dees-open-2020-with-narrow-win|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Match report: Slick Demons put the bite on Bulldogs|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/44182/match-report-slick-demons-put-the-bite-on-bulldogs|website=womens.afl|date=14 February 2020|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322062047/https://womens.afl/news/44182/match-report-slick-demons-put-the-bite-on-bulldogs|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Canil|first=Jourdan|title=AFLW boilover: Saints get first win over wasteful Demons|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/45419/heaven-sent-saints-get-first-win-over-wasteful-dees|website=womens.afl|date=21 February 2020|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322064706/https://womens.afl/news/45419/heaven-sent-saints-get-first-win-over-wasteful-dees|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Magpies lose match, and star to injury, against hot Demons|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/46480/magpies-lose-match-and-star-to-injury-against-hot-demons|website=womens.afl|date=28 February 2020|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919214357/https://womens.afl/news/46480/magpies-lose-match-and-star-to-injury-against-hot-demons|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McGowan|first=Marc|title=Blues storm past Demons in crunch Alice Springs blockbuster|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/48522/blues-storm-past-demons-in-crunch-alice-springs-blockbuster|website=womens.afl|date=14 March 2020|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205061022/https://womens.afl/news/48522/blues-storm-past-demons-in-crunch-alice-springs-blockbuster|url-status=live}}</ref> she polled eight coaches' votes in round 2<ref>{{cite news|title=AFLCA votes: Hot start for Pies midfielder, Freo tackle machine|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/45237/aflca-votes-hot-start-for-pies-midfielder-freo-tackle-machine|website=womens.afl|date=17 February 2020|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322062126/https://www.womens.afl/news/45237/aflca-votes-hot-start-for-pies-midfielder-freo-tackle-machine|url-status=live}}</ref> and five in round 3,<ref>{{cite news|title=AFLCA votes: Perfect Pie makes it three in a row|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/46369/aflca-votes-perfect-pie-makes-it-three-in-a-row|website=womens.afl|date=24 February 2020|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919051548/https://womens.afl/news/46369/aflca-votes-perfect-pie-makes-it-three-in-a-row|url-status=live}}</ref> and was selected in ''womens.afl''{{'}}s Team of the Week for round 2.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round two|url=https://womens.afl/news/45243/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-two|website=womens.afl|date=18 February 2020|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217234549/https://womens.afl/news/45243/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-two|url-status=live}}</ref> After round 6, the last two home-and-away rounds were abandoned and a modified finals series was brought forward due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports#Australian rules football|impact of the COVID-19 pandemic]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=The season that was: A look back at 2020|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/53174/the-season-that-was-a-look-back-at-2020|website=womens.afl|date=11 November 2020|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305232401/https://womens.afl/news/53174/the-season-that-was-a-look-back-at-2020|url-status=live}}</ref> allowing Melbourne to qualify for finals for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Melbourne season guide: All you need to know|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/54672/melbourne-season-guide-all-you-need-to-know|website=womens.afl|date=17 January 2021|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304071440/https://womens.afl/news/54672/melbourne-season-guide-all-you-need-to-know|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was among Melbourne's best players with 22 disposals in its semi-final win over {{AFLW GWS}},<ref>{{cite news|last=Curley|first=Adam|title=Dee-lightful: Heartbreak for Giants as Demons pinch cliffhanger|url=https://womens.afl/news/49485/dee-lightful-heartbreak-for-giants-as-demons-pinch-cliffhanger|website=womens.afl|date=21 March 2020|access-date=21 March 2020|archive-date=21 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321072819/https://womens.afl/news/49485/dee-lightful-heartbreak-for-giants-as-demons-pinch-cliffhanger|url-status=live}}</ref> before the finals were cancelled with no premiership awarded due to the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|last=Canil|first=Jourdan|title=No premiership in 2020: AFLW season ends immediately|url=https://womens.afl/news/49993/no-premiership-in-2020-aflw-season-ends-immediately|website=womens.afl|date=22 March 2020|access-date=4 March 2021|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304182941/https://womens.afl/news/49993/no-premiership-in-2020-aflw-season-ends-immediately|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was selected in the initial 40-woman squad for the [[2020 AFL Women's All-Australian team]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Negrepontis|first=Nic|title=Official 2020 AFLW All-Australian squad revealed|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/03/official-2020-aflw-all-australian-squad-revealed/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=3 April 2020|access-date=5 April 2020|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031525/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/03/official-2020-aflw-all-australian-squad-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was voted as the AFLPA AFLW best captain<ref name=2020bestcaptain>{{cite news|last=Negrepontis|first=Nic|title=North Melbourne star crowned AFLW MVP for 2020|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/20/north-melbourne-star-crowned-aflw-mvp-for-2020/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=20 April 2020|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031534/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/20/north-melbourne-star-crowned-aflw-mvp-for-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref> and nominated by her teammates for the AFLPA AFLW most valuable player award for the third time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Negrepontis|first=Nic|title=AFLW MVP nominees revealed and full predictions|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/17/aflw-mvp-nominees-revealed-and-full-predictions/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=17 April 2020|access-date=25 April 2022|archive-date=25 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425020659/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/17/aflw-mvp-nominees-revealed-and-full-predictions/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Leading into the 2021 season, Pearce was named as Melbourne captain for a fourth season,<ref>{{cite news|last=Nobes|first=Caitlin|title=Pearce, Paxman to continue in new-look AFLW leadership group|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/849648/pearce-paxman-to-continue-in-new-look-aflw-leadership-group|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=15 January 2021|access-date=12 October 2021|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029171720/https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/849648/pearce-paxman-to-continue-in-new-look-aflw-leadership-group|url-status=live}}</ref> and was named by Sarah Black at no. 9 on her annual list of the top 30 players in the AFLW.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's top 30 AFLW players: Blues dynamo rockets up to No.1|url=https://womens.afl/news/54844/sarah-black-s-top-30-aflw-players-blues-dynamo-rockets-up-to-no-1|website=womens.afl|date=27 January 2021|access-date=29 January 2021|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129015012/https://womens.afl/news/54844/sarah-black-s-top-30-aflw-players-blues-dynamo-rockets-up-to-no-1|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the opening game of the season, Pearce said that she had been "squeezed out of the midfield, officially" and would continue to primarily play at half-back while still making small appearances in the midfield.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title='One of the toughest I've played with': Pearce's praise for Dees draftee|url=https://womens.afl/news/57211/-one-of-the-toughest-i-ve-played-with-pearce-s-praise-for-dees-draftee|website=womens.afl|date=30 January 2021|access-date=30 January 2021|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129224359/https://womens.afl/news/57211/-one-of-the-toughest-i-ve-played-with-pearce-s-praise-for-dees-draftee|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce polled the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes in Melbourne's round 1 win against {{AFLW GC}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=AFLW B&F: Your club's leader, every vote from every game|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/72094/aflw-b-f-your-club-s-leader-every-vote-from-every-game|website=womens.afl|date=21 April 2021|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512111422/https://womens.afl/news/72094/aflw-b-f-your-club-s-leader-every-vote-from-every-game|url-status=live}}</ref> She was named among Melbourne's best players in its win over {{AFLW StK}} in round 6 after moving to the forward line and kicking two goals,<ref>{{cite news|last=Burt|first=Sarah|title=Pearce dominates as Demons savage the Saints|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/pearce-dominates-as-demons-savage-the-saints-20210306-p578fi.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=6 March 2021|access-date=10 March 2021|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309063900/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/pearce-dominates-as-demons-savage-the-saints-20210306-p578fi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and was selected in ''womens.afl''{{'}}s Team of the Week for that round.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round six|url=https://womens.afl/news/65563/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-six|website=womens.afl|date=9 March 2021|access-date=10 March 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410121614/https://womens.afl/news/65563/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-six|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was named among Melbourne's best players in round 8 after kicking a goal and setting up the match-winning goal in the club's close win over Fremantle, which assured its position in that year's finals series.<ref name=R821>{{cite news|last=Healy|first=Jonathan|title=Demons hang on in thriller after charging Dockers fall short|url=https://womens.afl/news/67450/demons-hang-on-in-thriller-after-charging-dockers-fall-short|website=womens.afl|date=21 March 2021|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321094620/https://womens.afl/news/67450/demons-hang-on-in-thriller-after-charging-dockers-fall-short|url-status=live}}</ref> She injured the [[medial collateral ligament]] (MCL) in her right knee<ref>{{cite news|last=Hope|first=Shayne|title=Superstar Dee out of first final but season not over yet|url=https://womens.afl/news/68628/superstar-dee-out-of-first-final-but-season-not-over-yet|website=womens.afl|date=28 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=28 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328042001/https://womens.afl/news/68628/superstar-dee-out-of-first-final-but-season-not-over-yet|url-status=live}}</ref> in the opening two minutes of Melbourne's close win over Brisbane the following week after her leg was caught underneath her in a tackle,<ref>{{cite news|title=Daisy Pearce injured in Melbourne's AFLW win over Brisbane as Kangaroos qualify for finals|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/aflw-melbourne-beats-brisbane-kangaroos-down-fremantle/100033534|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=27 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=28 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328085219/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/aflw-melbourne-beats-brisbane-kangaroos-down-fremantle/100033534|url-status=live}}</ref> which ruled her out of Melbourne's qualifying final win against Fremantle<ref>{{cite news|last1=Waterworth|first1=Ben|last2=Zita|first2=David|title=Roos break Blues hearts, Daisy Pearce's cruel pre-finals blow on ridiculous day of AFLW results|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-womens-results-aflw-ladder-finals-fixture-news-daisy-pearce-injury-melbourne-vs-brisbane-north-melbourne-vs-fremantle/news-story/7400ba17d4d05c5af1097e66765b5f29|work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=28 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=28 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328042201/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-womens-results-aflw-ladder-finals-fixture-news-daisy-pearce-injury-melbourne-vs-brisbane-north-melbourne-vs-fremantle/news-story/7400ba17d4d05c5af1097e66765b5f29|url-status=live}}</ref> and preliminary final loss to Adelaide.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Peter|title=Daisy Pearce to miss AFLW preliminary final|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-to-miss-aflw-preliminary-final-20210409-p57hy5.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=9 April 2021|access-date=13 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410234203/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-to-miss-aflw-preliminary-final-20210409-p57hy5.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the preliminary final, Pearce placed second in that year's AFLPA AFLW best captain award behind {{AFLW WB}} captain [[Ellie Blackburn]];<ref>{{cite news|last=Walsh|first=Liz|title=AFLW 2021: Brianna Davey claims MVP award in thriller|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-grand-final-news-ahead-of-adelaide-v-brisbane-clash/news-story/807866e63b4b8b34ddece47b26c6fb83|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=14 April 2021|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> she revealed the next day that she had suffered a small tear to the [[anterior cruciate ligament]] (ACL) in her right knee in the round 9 game, and that she would have surgery to repair the MCL while allowing the ACL to heal naturally.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title='I've got a little tear in my ACL': Daisy reveals injury latest ... but will she go on?|url=https://womens.afl/news/71026/-i-ve-got-a-little-tear-in-my-acl-daisy-reveals-injury-latest-but-will-she-go-on-|website=womens.afl|date=15 April 2021|access-date=16 April 2021|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416081318/https://womens.afl/news/71026/-i-ve-got-a-little-tear-in-my-acl-daisy-reveals-injury-latest-but-will-she-go-on-|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2022: 13-goal season, premiership and retirement===
[[File:Daisy Pearce with fans (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|Pearce post-match with Melbourne in 2022|alt=Pearce interacting with fans after a match]]
Pearce was named as Melbourne captain for a fifth season leading into season 6,<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Follow the leader: Your club's leadership group for 2022|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/75951/follow-the-leader-your-club-s-leadership-group-for-2022|website=womens.afl|date=15 November 2021|access-date=16 November 2021|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116052555/https://www.womens.afl/news/75951/follow-the-leader-your-club-s-leadership-group-for-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> continuing in her forward role from midway through the previous season.<ref name=2022HS>{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Lauren|title=AFLW 2022: Melbourne star Daisy Pearce on footy, life and her quest for an elusive AFLW premiership|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-2022-how-daisy-pearce-is-reinventing-herself-as-a-forward-and-why-shes-not-ready-to-hang-up-the-boots-yet/news-story/43123b5ebdc2514f965d02eef288dad1|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=7 January 2022|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220155843/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-2022-how-daisy-pearce-is-reinventing-herself-as-a-forward-and-why-shes-not-ready-to-hang-up-the-boots-yet/news-story/43123b5ebdc2514f965d02eef288dad1|url-status=live}}</ref> Stinear said that she was the strongest he had ever seen her; Pearce said that she had focused more heavily on weights and more of a strength and power focus over running during the pre-season.<ref name=2022HS/> She polled the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes in Melbourne's round 1 win over the Western Bulldogs<ref name=2022votes>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW B&F: Your club's leader, every vote from every game|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/92493/aflw-b-f-your-club-s-leader-every-vote-from-every-game|website=womens.afl|date=6 April 2022|access-date=6 April 2022|archive-date=6 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406070028/https://www.womens.afl/news/92493/aflw-b-f-your-club-s-leader-every-vote-from-every-game|url-status=live}}</ref> and was among Melbourne's best players in its loss to Adelaide in round 4, kicking two of the team's three goals for the game.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|title=Electric Erin gives Demons a rude shock as Crows continue dream run|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/82505/electric-erin-gives-demons-a-rude-shock-as-crows-continue-dream-run|website=womens.afl|date=29 January 2022|access-date=30 January 2022|archive-date=30 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130022140/https://www.womens.afl/news/82505/electric-erin-gives-demons-a-rude-shock-as-crows-continue-dream-run|url-status=live}}</ref> At the halfway point of the season, Pearce was equal-third in the competition for average score involvements with 4.4 per game.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Stats stars: Who is leading at the halfway mark of the season?|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/84380/stats-stars-who-is-leading-at-the-halfway-mark-of-the-season|website=womens.afl|date=10 February 2022|access-date=27 February 2022|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084820/https://www.womens.afl/news/84380/stats-stars-who-is-leading-at-the-halfway-mark-of-the-season|url-status=live}}</ref> She was among Melbourne's best players in its win over Brisbane in round 7, shifting back into defence during the match to record 15 disposals;<ref>{{cite news|last=Whiting|first=Michael|title=Harris stands tall as Demons edge Lions in dramatic finish|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/86691/harris-stands-tall-as-demons-edge-lions-in-dramatic-finish|website=womens.afl|date=21 February 2022|access-date=22 February 2022|archive-date=21 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221225440/https://www.womens.afl/news/86691/harris-stands-tall-as-demons-edge-lions-in-dramatic-finish|url-status=live}}</ref> she received five coaches' votes<ref>{{cite news|title=AFLCA votes, R7: Tayla's perfect ten, trio tied at the top|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/86688/aflca-votes-r7-tayla-s-perfect-ten-trio-tied-at-the-top|website=womens.afl|date=23 February 2022|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223030813/https://www.womens.afl/news/86688/aflca-votes-r7-tayla-s-perfect-ten-trio-tied-at-the-top|url-status=live}}</ref> and was selected in ''womens.afl''{{'}}s Team of the Week for round 7.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round seven|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/86833/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-seven|website=womens.afl|date=23 February 2022|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222233620/https://www.womens.afl/news/86833/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-seven|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was among Melbourne's best players with five goals in its record-breaking win over Fremantle in round 9,<ref>{{cite news|last=Somerford|first=Ben|title=Record-breaking Demons destroy Dockers|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/record-breaking-demons-destroy-dockers-c-5945577|publisher=[[Seven News]]|date=5 March 2022|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031539/https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/record-breaking-demons-destroy-dockers-c-5945577|url-status=live}}</ref> becoming Melbourne's first AFLW player<ref name=TheWest>{{cite news|last=Reilly|first=Eliza|title=AFLW 2022: Decimated Fremantle outfit concede biggest score in history and slip to fifth on ladder|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/aflw/aflw-2022-decimated-fremantle-outfit-concede-biggest-score-in-history-and-slip-to-fifth-on-ladder--c-5919433|newspaper=[[The West Australian]]|date=5 March 2022|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031538/https://thewest.com.au/sport/aflw/aflw-2022-decimated-fremantle-outfit-concede-biggest-score-in-history-and-slip-to-fifth-on-ladder--c-5919433|url-status=live}}</ref> and the fourth AFLW player overall to kick five goals in a match;<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=Dee-molition: Records tumble as Melbourne puts other clubs on notice|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/88620/dee-molition-records-tumble-as-melbourne-puts-other-clubs-on-notice|website=womens.afl|date=5 March 2022|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031540/https://www.womens.afl/news/88620/dee-molition-records-tumble-as-melbourne-puts-other-clubs-on-notice|url-status=live}}</ref> she received the maximum ten coaches' votes,<ref>{{cite web|title=AFL Coaches Association – AFLW Champion Player of the Year (round 9, 2022)|url=https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2022/20220209|publisher=[[AFL Coaches Association]]|access-date=18 March 2022|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319014526/https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/aflw-champion-player-of-the-year-award/leaderboard/2022/20220209|url-status=live}}</ref> was selected in ''womens.afl''{{'}}s Team of the Week for round 9<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round nine|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/89733/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-nine|website=womens.afl|date=8 March 2022|access-date=8 March 2022|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308002536/https://www.womens.afl/news/89733/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-nine|url-status=live}}</ref> and polled the maximum three AFL Women's best and fairest votes.<ref name=2022votes/> She was among Melbourne's best players in its win over Carlton in round 10, kicking two goals and alternating between attack and defence to help Melbourne secure a top-two finish at the end of the home-and-away season.<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Australian Associated Press]]|title=Dees lock in top-two berth after edging Blues in one-point thriller|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/89941/dees-lock-in-top-two-berth-after-edging-blues-in-one-point-thriller|website=womens.afl|date=12 March 2022|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=12 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312160328/https://www.womens.afl/news/89941/dees-lock-in-top-two-berth-after-edging-blues-in-one-point-thriller|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce played in Melbourne's preliminary final win over Brisbane in the first AFLW match played at the MCG to help the club progress to the [[2022 AFL Women's season 6 Grand Final]], its first grand final appearance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Dee Day: Melbourne defeats reigning premier to book maiden GF spot|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/91862/dee-day-melbourne-defeats-reigning-premier-to-book-maiden-gf-spot|work=womens.afl|date=2 April 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402042556/https://www.womens.afl/news/91862/dee-day-melbourne-defeats-reigning-premier-to-book-maiden-gf-spot|url-status=live}}</ref> She was named in Champion Data's 2022 AFLW All-Star stats team after leading the competition for score involvements with 1.5 per game and kicking 13 goals in ten games,<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=All-Star stats team: Crows lead the way, one Pie makes the cut|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/90891/all-star-stats-team-crows-lead-the-way-one-pie-makes-the-cut|website=womens.afl|date=18 March 2021|access-date=18 March 2021|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319014545/https://www.womens.afl/news/90891/all-star-stats-team-crows-lead-the-way-one-pie-makes-the-cut|url-status=live}}</ref> was named in the [[2022 AFL Women's season 6 All-Australian team]], her third All-Australian selection,<ref name=2022AA>{{cite news|last=Waterworth|first=Ben|title=Roos star's legend reaches new elite heights as full All-Australian team revealed|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-all-australian-2022-team-afl-w-awards-2022-all-australian-squad-reduced-to-team-revealed-emma-kearney-record/news-story/e6bad4d481eb4f833b366a45e3a3d9f6|work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=5 April 2022|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=5 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405093302/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-all-australian-2022-team-afl-w-awards-2022-all-australian-squad-reduced-to-team-revealed-emma-kearney-record/news-story/e6bad4d481eb4f833b366a45e3a3d9f6|url-status=live}}</ref> and was voted as the AFLPA AFLW best captain for the fourth time in her career.<ref name=2022bestcaptain>{{cite news|last=O'Halloran|first=Kate|title=Emily Bates voted AFLW player of the year at AFLPA awards, as Daisy Pearce, Kirsty Lamb, Charlie Rowbottom also recognised|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-06/emily-bates-wins-aflpa-mvp-to-complete-aflw-awards-sweep/100970820|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=6 April 2022|access-date=6 April 2022|archive-date=6 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406112509/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-06/emily-bates-wins-aflpa-mvp-to-complete-aflw-awards-sweep/100970820|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce played in Melbourne's loss to Adelaide in the grand final, playing a key role in defence and on the wing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Dynasty: Crows exorcise Grand Final Demons to win third premiership|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/92799/dynasty-crows-exorcise-grand-final-demons-to-win-third-premiership|website=womens.afl|date=9 April 2022|access-date=12 April 2022|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409234727/https://www.womens.afl/news/92799/dynasty-crows-exorcise-grand-final-demons-to-win-third-premiership|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the grand final, she won her third Melbourne best and fairest award by a single vote.<ref name=2022B&F>{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Ben|title=Pearce reigns supreme in tightest of Best and Fairest counts|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1101981/pearce-reigns-supreme-in-tightest-of-best-and-fairest-counts|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=11 April 2022|access-date=12 April 2022|archive-date=11 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411172822/https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1101981/pearce-reigns-supreme-in-tightest-of-best-and-fairest-counts|url-status=live}}</ref> In May, Pearce said that she would continue playing for "at least one more" season,<ref>{{cite news|last=Pierik|first=Jon|title='I just still love it': Daisy Pearce will play on with the Demons|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-just-still-love-it-daisy-pearce-will-play-on-with-the-demons-20220502-p5ahwx.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=2 May 2022|access-date=2 May 2022|archive-date=2 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502144843/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-just-still-love-it-daisy-pearce-will-play-on-with-the-demons-20220502-p5ahwx.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with the competition's seventh season taking place later in the year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=CBA locked in: big pay increase, August start date confirmed|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/94180/cba-locked-in-big-pay-increase-august-start-date-confirmed|website=womens.afl|date=19 May 2022|access-date=19 May 2022|archive-date=19 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519044559/https://www.womens.afl/news/94180/cba-locked-in-big-pay-increase-august-start-date-confirmed|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Daisy Pearce S7 prelim half-time.jpg|upright|thumb|left|Pearce during a half-time break with Melbourne in 2022|alt=Pearce walking from the field]]
In August, Pearce was named at no. 25 in Sarah Black's season 7 list of the top 30 players in the AFLW<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's Top 30 AFLW players: 25-21|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/96401/sarah-black-s-top-30-aflw-players-25-21|website=womens.afl|date=4 August 2022|access-date=8 August 2022|archive-date=4 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804163047/https://www.womens.afl/news/96401/sarah-black-s-top-30-aflw-players-25-21|url-status=live}}</ref> and was named as Melbourne captain for a sixth season.<ref name=captain>{{cite news|author=[[Australian Associated Press]]|title=Players 're-energised' after quick season turnaround|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/96949/players-re-energised-after-quick-season-turnaround|website=womens.afl|date=8 August 2022|access-date=8 August 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808051434/https://www.womens.afl/news/96949/players-re-energised-after-quick-season-turnaround|url-status=live}}</ref> She kicked a goal from eight disposals in Melbourne's round 1 win over Adelaide, playing a negating role on Adelaide defender [[Sarah Allan (footballer)|Sarah Allan]] as part of her role to "keep [Adelaide's] intercept (possession) game to a minimum".<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=How Demons got one back from the Crows|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/101208/how-demons-got-one-back-from-the-crows|website=womens.afl|date=31 August 2022|access-date=31 August 2022|archive-date=2 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902165900/https://www.womens.afl/news/101208/how-demons-got-one-back-from-the-crows|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was among Melbourne's best players in its win over North Melbourne in round 2 with two goals.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=Late Bannan heroics get Dees over the line in MCG thriller|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/101246/late-bannan-heroics-get-dees-over-the-line-in-mcg-thriller|website=womens.afl|date=2 September 2022|access-date=2 September 2022|archive-date=2 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902165907/https://www.womens.afl/news/101246/late-bannan-heroics-get-dees-over-the-line-in-mcg-thriller|url-status=live}}</ref> In the lead-up to her 50th AFLW game, Pearce said that while she would "love" an AFLW premiership, "It's less about ticking that box and having a premiership than it is about love for the game [...] I think I'll walk away still really fulfilled and feeling like the game has given me so much".<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Australian Associated Press]]|title='I'll walk away really fulfilled': Flag success won't define milestone Dee|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/109178/i-ll-walk-away-really-fulfilled-flag-success-won-t-define-milestone-dee|website=womens.afl|date=13 October 2022|access-date=19 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019161720/https://www.womens.afl/news/109178/i-ll-walk-away-really-fulfilled-flag-success-won-t-define-milestone-dee|url-status=live}}</ref> She played her 50th game in Melbourne's win over Gold Coast in round 8, kicking a goal from 11 disposals and six marks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whiting|first=Michael|title=Hot Demons flex their muscles as Suns' finals hopes take a hit|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/109557/hot-demons-flex-their-muscles-as-suns-finals-hopes-take-a-hit|website=womens.afl|date=15 October 2022|access-date=19 October 2022|archive-date=16 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016135233/https://www.womens.afl/news/109557/hot-demons-flex-their-muscles-as-suns-finals-hopes-take-a-hit|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce kicked the winning goal in Melbourne's preliminary final win over North Melbourne to help the club progress to the [[2022 AFL Women's season 7 Grand Final]], its second consecutive grand final appearance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=Daisy boots sealer as Dees down dogged Roos to reach GF|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/115818/daisy-boots-sealer-as-dees-down-dogged-roos-to-reach-gf|website=womens.afl|date=19 November 2022|access-date=19 November 2022|archive-date=25 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125100310/https://www.womens.afl/news/115818/daisy-boots-sealer-as-dees-down-dogged-roos-to-reach-gf|url-status=live}}</ref> She played in Melbourne's premiership win over Brisbane the following week,<ref name=premiership>{{cite news|last=Bilton|first=Dean|title=Melbourne outlasts Brisbane Lions in AFLW grand final to claim historic premiership|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-27/aflw-grand-final-melbourne-beats-brisbane-lions/101700852|website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=27 November 2022|access-date=28 November 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127214142/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-27/aflw-grand-final-melbourne-beats-brisbane-lions/101700852|url-status=live}}</ref> one of five inaugural Melbourne players (the others being [[Sarah Lampard]], [[Lily Mithen]], [[Paxy Paxman|Karen Paxman]] and [[Lauren Pearce]]; Stinear was also their inaugural coach<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Inaugural Dee plays through gruesome injury in finals campaign|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/117687/inaugural-dee-plays-through-gruesome-injury-in-finals-campaign|website=womens.afl|date=27 November 2022|access-date=28 November 2022|archive-date=28 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128053333/https://www.womens.afl/news/117687/inaugural-dee-plays-through-gruesome-injury-in-finals-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref>) to do so.<ref>{{cite news|last=Vinall|first=Marnie|title='Don't rob me of these moments': Daisy Pearce, Melbourne win first AFLW premiership|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons-brisbane-lions-aflw-grand-final-2022-20221127-p5c1lf.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=27 November 2022|access-date=28 November 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127183958/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons-brisbane-lions-aflw-grand-final-2022-20221127-p5c1lf.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2023, Pearce announced her playing retirement.<ref>{{cite news|last=Welsh|first=Sophie|title=End of an era: AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce hangs up the boots|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/116824/end-of-an-era-aflw-trailblazer-daisy-pearce-hangs-up-the-boots|website=womens.afl|date=18 January 2023|access-date=18 January 2023|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118081345/https://www.womens.afl/news/116824/end-of-an-era-aflw-trailblazer-daisy-pearce-hangs-up-the-boots|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Playing statistics===
{{Australian rules football statistics legend|p=y|s=y}}
{{AFLW player statistics start}}
|-
| [[2017 AFL Women's season|2017]] || {{AFLW Mel}} || 6
| 7 || 1 || 1 || 79 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | '''74'''<sup>†</sup> || 153 || 16 || 36 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 11.3 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | '''10.6'''<sup>†</sup> || bgcolor=CAE1FF | '''21.9'''<sup>†</sup> || 2.3 || 5.1 || 7
|-
| [[2018 AFL Women's season|2018]] || {{AFLW Mel}} || 6
| 7 || 2 || 1 || 89 || 38 || 127 || 11 || 37 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 12.7 || 5.4 || 18.1 || 1.6 || 5.3 || 6
|-
| [[2019 AFL Women's season|2019]] || {{AFLW Mel}} || 6
| 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 0
|-
| [[2020 AFL Women's season|2020]] || {{AFLW Mel}} || 6
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 68 || 36 || 104 || 19 || 20 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 9.7 || 5.1 || 14.9 || 2.7 || 2.9 || 2
|-
| [[2021 AFL Women's season|2021]] || {{AFLW Mel}} || 6
| 9 || 3 || 4 || 67 || 22 || 89 || 17 || 25 || 0.3 || 0.4 || 7.4 || 2.4 || 9.9 || 1.9 || 2.8 || 3
|-
| [[2022 AFL Women's season 6|2022 (S6)]] || {{AFLW Mel}} || 6
| 12 || 13 || 7 || 93 || 37 || 130 || 27 || 21 || 1.1 || 0.6 || 7.8 || 3.1 || 10.8 || 2.3 || 1.8 || 6
|-
| bgcolor=F0E68C | {{nowrap|'''[[2022 AFL Women's season 7|2022 (S7)]]'''<sup>#</sup>}} || {{AFLW Mel}} || 6
| 13 || 6 || 9 || 75 || 47 || 122 || 25 || 21 || 0.5 || 0.7 || 5.8 || 3.6 || 9.4 || 1.9 || 1.6 || 1
|- class=sortbottom
! colspan=3 | Career<ref>{{cite web|title=Daisy Pearce – player stats by season|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Daisy+Pearce/19809|publisher=Australian Football|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-date=29 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129160541/https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Daisy+Pearce/19809|url-status=live}}</ref>
! 55 !! 25 !! 22 !! 471 !! 254 !! 725 !! 115 !! 160 !! 0.5 !! 0.4 !! 8.6 !! 4.6 !! 13.2 !! 2.1 !! 2.9 !! 25
|}

===Honours and achievements===
{{Multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| image1 = AFLW S7 GF Pearce and Stinear hold up cup.jpg
| alt1 = Pearce holding a large trophy alongside her coach
| image2 = AFLW S7 GF Daisy Pearce celebrates with fans (cropped).jpg
| alt2 = Pearce standing on top of a fence and posing for a photo with her premiership medallion, with fans in the background
| footer = Pearce holding the premiership cup with [[Mick Stinear]] (top) and showing off her premiership medallion following the 2022 AFL Women's season 7 Grand Final (bottom)
}}
'''Team'''
* [[List of AFL Women's premiers|AFL Women's premiership player]] ({{AFLW Mel}}): [[2022 AFL Women's season 7 Grand Final|S7]] ([[Captain (Australian rules football)|c]])<ref name=premiership/>

'''Individual'''
* [[List of Melbourne Football Club captains#AFL Women's|Melbourne captain]]: 2017–2018, 2020–2022 (S7)<ref name=retirement>{{cite news|last=Welsh|first=Sophie|title=End of an era: AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce hangs up the boots|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/116824/end-of-an-era-aflw-trailblazer-daisy-pearce-hangs-up-the-boots|website=womens.afl|date=18 January 2023|access-date=18 January 2023|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118081345/https://www.womens.afl/news/116824/end-of-an-era-aflw-trailblazer-daisy-pearce-hangs-up-the-boots|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 3× [[AFL Women's All-Australian team]]: [[2017 AFL Women's All-Australian team|2017]] (c),<ref name=2017AA/> [[2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team|2018]],<ref name=2018AA/> [[2022 AFL Women's season 6 All-Australian team|S6]]<ref name=2022AA/>
* 3× [[Daisy Pearce Trophy|Melbourne best and fairest]]:{{efn|name=DPT|Later named the [[Daisy Pearce Trophy]] in her honour<ref name=DPT/>}} 2017,<ref name=2017B&F/> 2018,<ref name=2018B&F/> S6<ref name=2022B&F/>
* 4× AFLPA AFLW best captain: 2017,<ref name=2017bestcaptain/> 2018,<ref name=2018bestcaptain/> 2020,<ref name=2020bestcaptain/> S6<ref name=2022bestcaptain/>
* [[Representative matches in Australian rules football#AFL Women's State of Origin (2017)|AFL Women's State of Origin]] best-on-ground: 2017<ref name=medal/>
* [[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria representative honours]] in [[Representative matches in Australian rules football#AFL Women's State of Origin (2017)|AFL Women's State of Origin]]: 2017<ref name=stateoforigin/>

==Playing style and positions==
{{Multiple image
| align = left
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| image1 = Daisy Pearce kicking.jpg
| alt1 = Pearce kicking a football
| image2 = AFLW S7 GF Pearce handballs to Paxman (cropped).jpg
| alt2 = Pearce handballing a football
| footer = Pearce kicking (top) and handballing a football (bottom)
}}
Pearce was known for being a smart,<ref>{{cite news|title=Listen: The fitness regime that has star Demon flying|url=https://womens.afl/news/67870/listen-the-fitness-regime-that-has-star-demon-flying|website=womens.afl|date=23 March 2021|access-date=24 May 2021|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524143445/https://womens.afl/news/67870/listen-the-fitness-regime-that-has-star-demon-flying|url-status=live}}</ref> skilled<ref name=R821/> and composed player<ref name=onfieldcoach>{{cite news|last=Welsh|first=Sophie|title=AFLW 2021: All the action and results from Round 6|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-2021-all-the-action-and-results-from-round-6/news-story/3c0bc78d9b9101a51850d2ddea27b414|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=7 March 2021|access-date=24 May 2021|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524145002/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-2021-all-the-action-and-results-from-round-6/news-story/3c0bc78d9b9101a51850d2ddea27b414|url-status=live}}</ref> who directed play on-field.<ref name=HappyDais/><ref>{{cite web|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=Siren's 2020 AFLW All Australian Team: too many midfielders?|url=https://sirensport.com.au/aussie-rules/siren-2020-aflw-all-australian-team/|publisher=Siren|date=31 March 2020|access-date=24 May 2021|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524143445/https://sirensport.com.au/aussie-rules/siren-2020-aflw-all-australian-team/|url-status=live}}</ref> Longtime Melbourne coach Mick Stinear described Pearce as an "on-field coach"<ref name=onfieldcoach/> while teammate [[Shelley Heath]] described her as "essentially another coach on the ground".<ref name=2022bestcaptain/>

Pearce began her AFL Women's career playing primarily as a midfielder, having achieved most of her recognition playing in that position;<ref name=HappyDais/><ref name=2016game1/><ref name=marquee/> her average of 21.9 disposals per game in 2017 was the highest of any player.<ref name=corky/> Upon her return to football in 2020 after the birth of her twins, Pearce began playing solely as a [[Australian rules football positions#Back line|defender]]<ref name=HappyDais/> before shifting to playing primarily as a [[Australian rules football positions#Forward line|forward]] from midway through the 2021 season;<ref name=onfieldcoach/> the five goals that she kicked in round 9 of season 6 were the most in a game by a Melbourne AFLW player.<ref name=TheWest/>

==Early coaching career==
In October 2021, Pearce was among eight women, including five current and former AFLW players, selected in the AFL's women's coaching academy for 2022; she completed a national AFL level three coaching accreditation course as part of the academy,<ref name=Academy>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Big names selected for BHP Women's Coaching Academy|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/75430|website=womens.afl|date=27 October 2021|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027030821/https://www.womens.afl/news/75430|url-status=live}}</ref> designed to "accelerate the next generation of female coaches" in Australian rules football,<ref>{{cite news|last=Negrepontis|first=Nic|title=Pearce, Zielke, Arnell headline 2022 BHP Women's Coaching Academy|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/10/27/pearce-zielke-arnell-headline-2022-womens-coaching-academy/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=27 October 2021|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027070149/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/10/27/pearce-zielke-arnell-headline-2022-womens-coaching-academy/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was mentored by former Darebin and St Kilda coach [[Peta Searle]] as part of the twelve-month program.<ref name=Academy/>

By March 2022, Pearce was considering an assistant coaching role for {{AFL Gee}}'s AFL team; she had earlier been offered the position of {{AFLW Ess}}'s inaugural AFLW coach and turned it down after serious consideration.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Peter|last2=McClure|first2=Sam|title=Cats coup: Daisy Pearce weighs offer to join Geelong as AFL assistant coach|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cats-coup-daisy-pearce-weighs-offer-to-join-geelong-as-afl-assistant-coach-20220301-p5a0s3.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=1 March 2022|access-date=2 March 2022|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031555/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cats-coup-daisy-pearce-weighs-offer-to-join-geelong-as-afl-assistant-coach-20220301-p5a0s3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, she joined the AFL Academy as a coach of its women's program.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Is this the start of 'Coach Daisy'? Pearce joins NAB AFLW Academy|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/91542/is-this-the-start-of-coach-daisy-pearce-joins-nab-aflw-academy|website=womens.afl|date=29 March 2022|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329053646/https://www.womens.afl/news/91542/is-this-the-start-of-coach-daisy-pearce-joins-nab-aflw-academy|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2022, Pearce accepted a coaching position at Geelong as part of the AFL's women's coaching acceleration program.<ref name=geelong>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Daisy one of four players granted coaching positions|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/94867/daisy-one-of-four-players-granted-coaching-positions|website=womens.afl|date=7 June 2022|access-date=8 June 2022|archive-date=7 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607115850/https://www.womens.afl/news/94867/daisy-one-of-four-players-granted-coaching-positions|url-status=live}}</ref> She was one of four current AFLW players and nine women overall to receive a position at a club; the program enabled the successful women to start their role anytime before 2025, which allowed Pearce to continue playing until she decided to begin in the role.<ref name=geelong/>

Pearce began her role as a development coach with Geelong in February 2023, having signed a four-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title='A significant name in football': Coach Daisy arrives at the Cattery|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/118363/-a-significant-name-in-football-coach-daisy-arrives-at-the-cattery|website=womens.afl|date=1 March 2023|access-date=1 March 2023|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301135333/https://www.womens.afl/news/118363/-a-significant-name-in-football-coach-daisy-arrives-at-the-cattery|url-status=live}}</ref> While in her commentary role for the [[Seven Sport|Seven Network]], she was refused entry into {{AFL Ric}}'s change rooms following its round 1 draw against Carlton due to her coaching position, a decision which Richmond senior club advisor [[Neil Balme]] later clarified was a sign of respect for Pearce's intelligence: "I know I'd trust her to the point that (gathering intelligence is) not what she is there for [...] but to be able to do both jobs is a bit difficult at times".<ref>{{cite news|last=Geleit|first=Lachlan|title="You can't do both jobs": Balme reveals why Tigers barred Daisy Pearce from changerooms|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/03/23/you-cant-do-both-jobs-balme-reveals-why-tigers-barred-daisy-pearce-from/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=23 March 2023|access-date=25 March 2023|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323070919/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/03/23/you-cant-do-both-jobs-balme-reveals-why-tigers-barred-daisy-pearce-from/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Brisbane Lions later put the same ban on Pearce, with senior coach [[Chris Fagan (coach)|Chris Fagan]] saying that it was a hard decision and either choice was acceptable.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whiting|first=Michael|title=Fagan explains Lions' decision to ban Daisy from rooms|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/891977/fagan-explains-lions-decision-to-ban-daisy-from-rooms|website=afl.com.au|date=29 March 2023|access-date=29 March 2023|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329044757/https://www.afl.com.au/news/891977/fagan-explains-lions-decision-to-ban-daisy-from-rooms|url-status=live}}</ref>

==AFL Women's coaching career==
In December 2023, Pearce was announced as {{AFLW WC}}'s new AFLW senior coach on a three-year contract, replacing [[Michael Prior]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vaughan|first1=Roger|author2=[[Australian Associated Press]]|title=AFLW great Daisy Pearce to coach Eagles women|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-great-daisy-pearce-to-coach-eagles-in-aflw-c-12860652|publisher=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|Perth Now]]|date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023|archive-date=15 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215065516/https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-great-daisy-pearce-to-coach-eagles-in-aflw-c-12860652|url-status=live}}</ref> with the club describing the appointment as "one of the biggest recruiting coups of [its] history" in a club statement.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mottram|first=Seb|title=Daisy Pearce appointed AFLW Eagles senior coach|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/12/11/report-daisy-pearce-to-be-appointed-aflw-senior-coach/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023|archive-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211013141/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/12/11/report-daisy-pearce-to-be-appointed-aflw-senior-coach/|url-status=live}}</ref> The appointment made Pearce the third former AFLW player to become a senior coach, following [[Lauren Arnell]] and [[Lisa Webb]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW bombshell as Pearce named Eagles coach, leaves Cats|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1071171/daisy-pearce-head-coach-west-coast-eagles-michael-prior-geelong-assistant-melbourne-demons|website=afl.com.au|date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023|archive-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211042532/https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1071171/daisy-pearce-head-coach-west-coast-eagles-michael-prior-geelong-assistant-melbourne-demons|url-status=live}}</ref> Seven Network head of sport Lewis Martin later confirmed that Pearce would continue in her commentary role for the network in 2024 alongside her coaching role.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jaeger|first=Carla|title=Daisy Pearce to combine Seven commentary with new coaching gig|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-to-coach-west-coast-eagles-in-aflw-20231211-p5eqk0.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=11 December 2023|access-date=15 December 2023|archive-date=15 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215070152/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-to-coach-west-coast-eagles-in-aflw-20231211-p5eqk0.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Media career==
[[File:Daisy Pearce 2018.1.jpg|upright|thumb|left|Pearce working for the [[Seven Sport|Seven Network]] in 2018|alt=Pearce holding a microphone]]
Pearce is an expert commentator for the Seven Network's AFL coverage on television<ref name=realstar>{{cite news|last=Bednall|first=Jai|title=Daisy Pearce emerges as real star of Seven's AFL coverage|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-emerges-as-real-star-of-sevens-afl-coverage/news-story/43ec9fca259b23f2dae0a2fe4afabc85|website=[[news.com.au]]|date=2 October 2020|access-date=5 February 2021|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205042736/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-emerges-as-real-star-of-sevens-afl-coverage/news-story/43ec9fca259b23f2dae0a2fe4afabc85|url-status=live}}</ref> and AFL Nation's AFL coverage for [[1116 SEN]] on radio.<ref>{{cite news|title=Australia's best race caller, Brownlow Medallist join AFL Nation commentary team|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/03/11/australias-best-race-caller-brownlow-medallist-join-afl-nation-commentary/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=11 March 2021|access-date=8 March 2022|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308045307/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/03/11/australias-best-race-caller-brownlow-medallist-join-afl-nation-commentary/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Pearce began appearing as a panel member on the Seven Network program ''[[AFL Game Day]]'';<ref name=realstar/> she was set to continue in the role in 2020<ref>{{cite news|title=Seven's 2020 AFL commentary team announced and is bolstered by star recruits Luke Hodge and Jobe Watson|url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2020/03/08/2020-3-9-sevens-2020-afl-commentary-team-announced-and-is-bolstered-by-star-recruits-luke-hodge-and-jobe-watson/|publisher=TV Blackbox|date=8 March 2020|access-date=8 March 2022|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308045317/https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2020/03/08/2020-3-9-sevens-2020-afl-commentary-team-announced-and-is-bolstered-by-star-recruits-luke-hodge-and-jobe-watson/|url-status=live}}</ref> before the show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Channel 7 axe footy shows Game Day and Talking Footy ahead of season restart|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/channel-7-axe-footy-shows-game-day-and-talking-footy-ahead-of-season-restart/news-story/3410b6e9cf9239d3b2bd4a7201b830fd|work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=3 June 2020|access-date=8 March 2020|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308045305/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/channel-7-axe-footy-shows-game-day-and-talking-footy-ahead-of-season-restart/news-story/3410b6e9cf9239d3b2bd4a7201b830fd|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Pearce began appearing on the SEN morning shows ''SEN Breakfast'' (with [[Garry Lyon]] and [[Tim Watson]]) and ''Whateley'' (with [[Gerard Whateley]]),<ref>{{cite news|title=Daisy Pearce joins 1116 SEN and Crocmedia|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/01/24/daisy-pearce-joins-1116-sen-and-crocmedia/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=24 January 2018|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217202340/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/01/24/daisy-pearce-joins-1116-sen-and-crocmedia/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2019, she hosted ''This Is Grit'', a weekly podcast series on SEN focusing on sportswomen.<ref>{{cite web|title=This Is Grit|url=https://www.sen.com.au/programs/this-is-grit/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|access-date=8 March 2022|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309143918/https://www.sen.com.au/programs/this-is-grit/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, she co-hosted ''The W Show'' for [[AFL Media]] alongside Nat Edwards, where they analysed and discussed AFL Women's news and topics.<ref>{{cite news|title=The W Show is here: Fixture reshuffle, COVID chaos, young star sets record|url=https://womens.afl/news/58492/the-w-show-is-here-fixture-reshuffle-covid-chaos-young-star-sets-record|website=womens.afl|date=5 February 2021|access-date=5 February 2021|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031553/https://www.womens.afl/news/58492/the-w-show-is-here-fixture-reshuffle-covid-chaos-young-star-sets-record|url-status=live}}</ref> She previously provided special comments for radio network [[Triple M]] in 2017<ref>{{cite news|title=Daisy Pearce Joins Triple M's AFL Footy Call|url=http://www.bandt.com.au/media/daisy-pearce-joins-triple-ms-afl-footy-call|publisher=B&T|date=18 April 2017|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-date=18 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218141737/http://www.bandt.com.au/media/daisy-pearce-joins-triple-ms-afl-footy-call|url-status=live}}</ref> and has written columns for newspaper ''[[The Age]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=''The Age'' unveils footy columnists for 2017|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/the-age-unveils-footy-columnists-for-2017-20161218-gtdqpx.html|newspaper=[[Brisbane Times]]|date=18 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218010558/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/the-age-unveils-footy-columnists-for-2017-20161218-gtdqpx.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pearce was a boundary rider for Seven's coverage of the [[AFL Grand Final]] in 2018 and 2019.<ref name=realstar/> In 2021, she became the first woman to provide special comments for Seven's coverage of the grand final, and was widely praised by fans and media for her commentary.<ref>{{cite news|last=McMurtry|first=Andrew|title=Fans rave over Daisy Pearce's Channel 7 Grand Final performance|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/fans-rave-over-daisy-pearces-channel-7-grand-final-performance/news-story/c6bd8a85e39e2434f06ca4b42e224dcf|website=[[news.com.au]]|date=26 September 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925134708/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/fans-rave-over-daisy-pearces-channel-7-grand-final-performance/news-story/c6bd8a85e39e2434f06ca4b42e224dcf|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce won the award for Best Opinion/Analysis – TV/Radio at the 2021 Australian Football Media Association Awards, with the AFMA commenting: "Daisy's football knowledge is incredible and she leaves viewers with a better appreciation of the game".<ref>{{cite news|last=Mottram|first=Seb|title=Pearce discusses barriers and coaching aspirations after winning AFMA award|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/09/16/pearce-discusses-barriers-and-coaching-aspirations-after-winning-afma-award/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=16 September 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917040931/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/09/16/pearce-discusses-barriers-and-coaching-aspirations-after-winning-afma-award/|url-status=live}}</ref> Pearce was shifted to Seven's Friday night commentary team for the 2022 season,<ref>{{cite news|title=Channel 7 dumps AFL legend Wayne Carey from Friday prime-time|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/channel-7-dumps-afl-legend-wayne-carey-from-friday-primetime/news-story/640e2e99a778afb291e430d8773b7595|work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=18 February 2022|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220152225/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/channel-7-dumps-afl-legend-wayne-carey-from-friday-primetime/news-story/640e2e99a778afb291e430d8773b7595|url-status=live}}</ref> before moving to Thursday nights in 2023 upon commencing her coaching role with Geelong's AFL team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Niall|first=Jake|title=How AFL commentary teams will change for season 2023|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/how-afl-commentary-teams-will-change-for-season-2023-20230221-p5cm4o.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=21 February 2023|access-date=25 February 2023|archive-date=24 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224140400/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/how-afl-commentary-teams-will-change-for-season-2023-20230221-p5cm4o.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Advocacy==
[[File:Daisy Pearce 03.02.17.jpg|thumb|upright|Pearce appearing on the Seven Network before the first AFLW match in 2017|alt=Pearce sitting at a desk wearing a Melbourne polo shirt]]
Pearce has advocated for both men and women to commentate and talk about women's football in the media.<ref name=gender1>{{cite news|author=[[Australian Associated Press]]|title=Daisy Pearce weighs in on gender equality storm over Channel Nine program Women's Footy|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-weighs-in-on-gender-equality-storm-over-channel-nine-program-womens-footy/news-story/2c6123a2f43fc1f39df16b89dd3eeba5|website=[[news.com.au]]|date=6 February 2018|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-date=18 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218141752/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/daisy-pearce-weighs-in-on-gender-equality-storm-over-channel-nine-program-womens-footy/news-story/2c6123a2f43fc1f39df16b89dd3eeba5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=gender2>{{cite news|title='It's just football': Pearce on footy show gender criticism|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/02/04/its-just-football-pearce-on-footy-show-gender-criticism/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=4 February 2018|access-date=9 March 2022|archive-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319113348/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/02/04/its-just-football-pearce-on-footy-show-gender-criticism/|url-status=live}}</ref> After [[Tiffany Cherry]] spoke out against the [[Nine Network]] in February 2018 for failing to stand up for gender equality after being replaced by Clint Stanaway as host of the Nine program ''Women's Footy'', Pearce said, "I enjoy seeing men working across and well-informed football commentators talking about [women's football]... why can't we see men working across the AFL Women's competition?"<ref name=gender1/><ref name=gender2/> She said that if there was a belief that only women should call AFLW games and only men should call AFL games, "It's almost as if we are taking a few steps back".<ref name=gender1/><ref name=gender2/> Pearce believed that this applied to coaching, saying that while she supported women coaching in football, she wanted "the best coach that's out there" to coach her, describing Stinear as "the best coach for the job" at Melbourne.<ref name=gender2/>

One of several high-profile players to speak out during the AFLW's 2020–2022 [[Collective agreement|collective bargaining agreement]] negotiations in 2019, Pearce supported the AFL Players Association and the AFL's deal to gradually extend the length of AFLW seasons over the three-year period{{efn|The AFL's deal was to extend the 2020 season to eight home-and-away rounds, 2021 to nine and 2022 to ten, with three weeks of finals in each season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Colangelo|first=Anthony|title=AFLW dissidents dig their heels in on D-Day|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/pearce-confident-of-deal-on-aflw-d-day-20191004-p52xls.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=4 October 2019|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108163158/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/pearce-confident-of-deal-on-aflw-d-day-20191004-p52xls.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} and played down talks of a crisis developing after a group of players considered splitting from the AFLPA to create their own players union.<ref>{{cite news|last=Colangelo|first=Anthony|title=AFLW stars downplay CBA dispute|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-stars-downplay-cba-dispute-20190918-p52sj4.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=18 September 2019|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108163157/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-stars-downplay-cba-dispute-20190918-p52sj4.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She believed that broader talks between the AFLPA and AFLW players, which would allow more players to speak directly to the AFLPA, would result in an agreement that would satisfy all players.<ref>{{cite news|last=Colangelo|first=Anthony|title=Broader talks should bring AFLW CBA decision: Pearce|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/broader-talks-should-bring-aflw-cba-decision-pearce-20191009-p52z75.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=9 October 2019|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108163155/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/broader-talks-should-bring-aflw-cba-decision-pearce-20191009-p52z75.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "[If] the AFL Players Association tell us that moving forward 'we're going to improve communications [...] because we've acknowledged there's some challenges with communicating with part-time girls', I trust that they'll do that".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Valencich|first1=Glenn|author2=[[Australian Associated Press]]|title=AFLW dispute heats up as Darcy Vescio responds to Daisy Pearce's remarks|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-dispute-heats-up-as-darcy-vescio-responds-to-daisy-pearces-remarks-c-497232|publisher=[[Seven News]]|date=11 October 2019|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108163153/https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-dispute-heats-up-as-darcy-vescio-responds-to-daisy-pearces-remarks-c-497232|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:DaisyLeadsOutTeam18.02.17.jpg|thumb|left|Pearce leading her teammates onto the field before a game in 2017|alt=Pearce running towards a banner bearing her portrait followed by her teammates, with Melbourne AFL players and staff forming a guard of honour and fans visible in the background]]
Pearce is often regarded by media as the face of women's Australian rules football<ref name=face1>{{cite web|last=Olle|first=Sarah|title=Women's AFL: How life has changed for Daisy Pearce, the AFL's first female superstar|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl-how-life-has-changed-for-daisy-pearce-the-afls-first-female-superstar/news-story/f6d2582dc0afbc862aa5740371e181bb|work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=27 February 2016|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326172100/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl-how-life-has-changed-for-daisy-pearce-the-afls-first-female-superstar/news-story/f6d2582dc0afbc862aa5740371e181bb|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=face2>{{cite web|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Comment: AFL has to splash cash on AFLW|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-10/comment-afl-has-to-splash-cash-on-aflw|website=afl.com.au|date=10 August 2018|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217202315/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-10/comment-afl-has-to-splash-cash-on-aflw|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=face3>{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Courtney|title=In a league of her own|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/aflw-star-daisy-pearce-makes-her-mark-on-and-off-the-field/news-story/1935dad16bc640fc4ea59aa591f7acfa|url-access=subscription|newspaper=[[The Australian|The Weekend Australian]]|date=12 February 2021|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref> and is highly regarded across the football industry for her professionalism, football knowledge and leadership, both on and off the field, as well as being a role model for current and future female footballers.<ref name=face3/> ''[[Herald Sun]]'' journalist Jay Clark wrote that Pearce had "set the standard in training and professionalism [in women's football] for years" and that her contributions "over more than a decade [made] her a living legend of the women's game",<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Jay|title=AFLW 2022: How Daisy Pearce is reinventing herself as a forward and why she's not ready to hang up the boots yet|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-2022-how-daisy-pearce-is-reinventing-herself-as-a-forward-and-why-shes-not-ready-to-hang-up-the-boots-yet/news-story/43123b5ebdc2514f965d02eef288dad1|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=3 January 2022|access-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103090900/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-2022-how-daisy-pearce-is-reinventing-herself-as-a-forward-and-why-shes-not-ready-to-hang-up-the-boots-yet/news-story/43123b5ebdc2514f965d02eef288dad1|archive-date=3 January 2022|url-status=deviated}}</ref> while SEN broadcaster Gerard Whateley called Pearce "the defining figure of the AFLW era" and "the face of a social movement as well as a sport".<ref>{{cite news|last=Whateley|first=Gerard|title=Could Daisy Pearce one day change the AFL coaching landscape?|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/03/02/could-daisy-pearce-one-day-change-the-afl-coaching-landscape/|publisher=[[1116 SEN|SEN]]|date=2 March 2022|access-date=2 March 2022|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306031616/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/03/02/could-daisy-pearce-one-day-change-the-afl-coaching-landscape/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Daisy Pearce S7 grand final.jpg|thumb|upright|Pearce leading her teammates onto the field after half-time of the AFL Women's season seven Grand Final|alt=Pearce walking out of her team's changerooms followed by her teammates]]
{{quote|Daisy's just the complete package and by playing at Darebin with her, I see how hard she works off the field [...] I couldn't think of a better partner in crime to start that (AFL Women's journey) with.|Melissa Hickey, Darebin and Melbourne teammate, in 2016<ref>{{cite news|last=Harrington|first=Anna|title=How a small town cafe was the key to building Melbourne's women's footy marquee partnership|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/how-a-small-town-cafe-was-the-key-to-building-melbournes-womens-footy-marquee-partnership/news-story/7972c9fff32cdf89bea58a91aca7a8b9|work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=27 July 2016|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329125635/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/how-a-small-town-cafe-was-the-key-to-building-melbournes-womens-footy-marquee-partnership/news-story/7972c9fff32cdf89bea58a91aca7a8b9|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{quote|[Pearce] has been a generational player and a generational leader. Talk about a story of breaking glass ceilings [...] she has just done it by being good in a way that has totally changed the landscape for young women.|[[Gillon McLachlan]], AFL chief executive officer, in 2020<ref name=face3/>}}
{{quote|[Pearce's] knowledge is excellent. God, she is well prepared [...] she has a presence. You can feel it. She has that lovely balance of being engaging, warm and charismatic, but at the same time she is humble and keen to listen and improve.|[[Bruce McAvaney]], longtime Seven Network host and commentator, in 2020<ref name=face3/>}}
[[File:Daisy the mascot.jpg|thumb|left|Daisy the mascot (left) during a half-time break in 2022|alt=A person in a costume walking around the field accompanied by a Melbourne staff member]]
{{quote|I don't think I've ever had a better captain than Daisy at any level of football. Everyone I talk to, including friends from other teams, always comment on how amazing it must be to be captained by Daisy. Everyone respects her and she always delivers no matter what, as a person or as a captain.|Shelley Heath, Melbourne teammate, in 2022<ref name=2022bestcaptain/>}}

In 2016, Pearce was named Football Woman of the Year for her work as the AFL's female football ambassador, an AFL talent coordinator and a graduate intern at the Melbourne Football Club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pearce claims top gong|url=https://www.insidesport.com.au/afl/news/pearce-claims-games-top-gong-438481|magazine=[[Inside Sport]]|date=29 September 2016|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218010408/https://www.insidesport.com.au/afl/news/pearce-claims-games-top-gong-438481|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2017, Melbourne unveiled its new AFLW mascot, a costumed human depicting a "young female footy player", named Daisy in honour of Pearce.<ref>{{cite news|last=Burgan|first=Matt|title=Daisy the new female mascot|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-02-05/daisy-the-new-female-mascot|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=5 February 2017|access-date=6 February 2017|archive-date=5 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205170241/http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-02-05/daisy-the-new-female-mascot|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 March 2017, Pearce became the first woman to be elected as a director on the board of the AFLPA; the association had decided that day to include AFLW players as full members.<ref>{{cite web|title=AFLW star joins AFLPA Board|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/aflw-star-joins-aflpa-board/|publisher=[[AFL Players Association]]|date=7 March 2017|access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=10 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310160028/http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/aflw-star-joins-aflpa-board/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2018, the VFL Women's best and fairest award was named the [[Lambert–Pearce Medal]] to honour Pearce and VWFL founding committee member and former president Helen Lambert.<ref name=LPM>{{cite news|title=Lambert Pearce Medal revealed|url=http://vfl.com.au/lambert-pearce-medal-announced/|website=vfl.com.au|date=6 September 2018|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910203942/http://vfl.com.au/lambert-pearce-medal-announced/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pearce won the inaugural award in 2016 after winning six Helen Lambert Medals in the VWFL.<ref name=6HLM/> In December 2023, Melbourne named its AFL Women's best and fairest award the [[Daisy Pearce Trophy]] to honour Pearce, a three-time recipient of the award.<ref name=DPT>{{cite news|title=Daisy Pearce Trophy awarded to Melbourne Best and Fairest|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1476046/daisy-pearce-trophy-awarded-to-melbourne-best-and-fairest|publisher=[[Melbourne Football Club]]|date=9 December 2023|access-date=9 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209120810/https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1476046/daisy-pearce-trophy-awarded-to-melbourne-best-and-fairest|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Daisy Pearce S7.jpg|upright|thumb|Pearce post-match with Melbourne in 2022|alt=Pearce interacting with fans after a match]]
Pearce studied a [[Bachelor of Science in Nursing|Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery]] at [[La Trobe University]], graduating in 2010<ref>{{cite web|title=Daisy Pearce|url=https://www.latrobe.edu.au/alumni/profile/Daisy-Pearce|publisher=[[La Trobe University]]|date=29 January 2020|access-date=8 March 2022|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228032248/https://www.latrobe.edu.au/alumni/profile/Daisy-Pearce|url-status=live}}</ref> and receiving a Distinguished Alumni award in 2019.<ref>{{cite news|title=La Trobe honours Distinguished Alumni|url=https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2019/release/la-trobe-honours-distinguished-alumni|publisher=[[La Trobe University]]|date=12 November 2019|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417012738/https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2019/release/la-trobe-honours-distinguished-alumni|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bunn|first=Anthony|title=La Trobe University has honoured Bright-raised AFLW player Daisy Pearce and Voices for Indi co-founder Alana Johnson|url=https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/6488091/uni-lauds-afl-star-political-voice/|url-access=subscription|newspaper=[[The Border Mail]]|date=12 November 2019|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113003750/https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/6488091/uni-lauds-afl-star-political-voice/|url-status=live}}</ref> She worked as a midwife at [[Box Hill Hospital]]<ref name=AFLCommunity>{{cite web|title=Players to watch – Daisy Pearce: Vic|url=http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=868|website=AFL Community|access-date=29 April 2016|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218010511/http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=868|url-status=dead}}</ref> and lived in Eltham at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jolly|first=Laura|title=Eltham midwife No. 1 pick in women's draft|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/eltham-midwife-no-1-pick-in-women8217s-draft/news-story/7c012e4015bf7ee0365336a3c1fa18ac|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=26 June 2013|access-date=7 February 2021}}</ref> Pearce gave birth to twins with her partner, firefighter Ben O'Neill,<ref name=face3/> in February 2019<ref name=twins/> via a [[caesarean section]].<ref name=face3/> Her son was diagnosed with [[dextrocardia]] while she was pregnant.<ref name=face3/> In October 2020, Pearce and her family relocated to [[Porepunkah]],<ref name=face3/> near Bright,<ref>{{cite news|last=Caffrey|first=Oliver|title=Demons' Pearce ready for AFLW's new normal|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/demons-pearce-ready-for-aflws-new-normal-c-2042544|publisher=[[Seven News]]|date=28 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411072312/https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/demons-pearce-ready-for-aflws-new-normal-c-2042544|url-status=live}}</ref> and she divided her time between there and Melbourne.<ref name=face3/>

In June 2021, Pearce participated in the annual [[King's Birthday match#Big Freeze at the 'G|Big Freeze at the 'G]] event to raise funds for [[motor neurone disease]] (MND) research, sliding into the ice bath at the MCG in costume as the titular character from the Australian animated series ''[[Bluey (2018 TV series)|Bluey]]''.<ref name=BF>{{cite news|title=Seventh Big Freeze raises more than $10m despite virus disruption for second year|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/seventh-big-freeze-raises-more-than-10m-despite-virus-disruption-for-second-year-20210614-p580zi.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=14 June 2021|access-date=14 October 2021|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029174756/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/seventh-big-freeze-raises-more-than-10m-despite-virus-disruption-for-second-year-20210614-p580zi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2021 edition of the event raised more than $10 million for [[Neale Daniher]]'s charity, Fight MND.<ref name=BF/> Following her 50th AFLW game in 2022, which coincided with season seven's Pride Round, Pearce decided to sell her specially designed guernsey at auction and donate all funds to [[The Reach Foundation]], a youth [[not-for-profit]] organisation established by former Melbourne player and president [[Jim Stynes]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Ben|title=Bid for Reach &#124; Pearce donating milestone guernsey|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1239010/bid-for-reach-pearce-donating-milestone-guernsey|website=melbournefc.com.au|date=19 October 2022|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019051547/https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1239010/bid-for-reach-pearce-donating-milestone-guernsey|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{AustralianFootball|ref=Daisy+Pearce/19809}}

{{West Coast AFL Women's player squad}}
{{West Coast Eagles coaches}}
{{Current AFL Women's coaches}}
{{AFL Women's premiership captains}}
{{2022 AFL Women's season 7 Melbourne premiership players}}
{{Melbourne Football Club captains}}
{{AFL Women's All-Australian captains}}
{{2017 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{2022 AFL Women's season 6 All-Australian team}}
{{Daisy Pearce Trophy}}
{{AFLPA AFLW best captain}}
{{Inaugural Melbourne AFL Women's team}}
{{2017 Victoria women's State of Origin players}}
{{Lambert–Pearce Medal}}
{{AFL Women's number one draft picks}}
{{2013 AFL women's draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pearce, Daisy}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:People from Bright, Victoria]]
[[Category:Melbourne Football Club (AFLW) players]]
[[Category:All-Australians (AFL Women's)]]
[[Category:Australia women's international rules football team players]]
[[Category:Darebin Falcons players]]
[[Category:Australian rules football commentators]]
[[Category:Women sports announcers]]
[[Category:Australian rules footballers from Melbourne]]
[[Category:People from Eltham, Victoria]]
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