Melbourne AFLW star Daisy Pearce is set for a stellar return to football.
The 31-year-old will return to Casey Fields in less than three weeks for the first time since giving birth to twins and will reunite with teammates as their captain.
The announcement was revealed to Pearce during the clubs photo shoot on Monday night, with the two-time best and fairest admitting she hadn't given much thought to how she would return to football within the last year.
โI felt so far from footy or anything that I wouldnโt have imagined getting back here, but itโs always been in the back of my mind and to be here โ Iโm very honoured,โ Pearce told Melbourne Media.
Pearce was a strong suitor for the role and revealed there was an element of surprise to be given the captaincy on her return.
โI love this club and this team as much as anyone,โ Pearce said.
โTo have this team choose me as their captain is a huge honour and something Iโm very proud of, particularly because of where Iโve come from.
โNot just the work Iโve had to do to get back but the leadership and help Iโve had along the way from all my teammates, so for them to vote me as captain kind of makes me feel like all of that has been OK.
โThe sessions Iโve missed, or when Iโve not been able to complete the full session for whatever reason, it just gives me a lot of confidence that thatโs alright.โ
Even after a year away from the leadership role, Pearce acknowledged that it her return won't see any major changes from when she last took on the role.
โThere are so many other people in the team that can lead at different times, I donโt feel like the pressureโs all on me suddenly to be everything from a leadership sense,โ she said.
โWhether I was named captain or not I probably wouldโve had the same approach to the way I go about things on gameday, so I donโt feel like it adds any extra pressure.
โIt probably gives me a little bit of confidence that everyoneโs happy with where Iโm at and I look forward to getting back out there.โ
Pearce has endured a strong pre-season since returning to the training track and is expected to play in a practice match this weekend.
โI played full minutes in an intra-club [match] we had, so I had the Geelong game off, but this will be my first actual hit-out against opposition.
โThis is why we play, so I canโt wait โ canโt wait to get out there and it should be a good steppingstone hopefully into Round 1 in a fortnight after that.โ
The Demons will face Collingwood at Olympic Park on Saturday from 10am.
