When you think about Daisy Pearce you know she’s the defining figure of the AFLW era.
Her deeds for Darebin were legendary in Victoria and when a mainstream footy audience saw her in the exhibition games between Melbourne and the Bulldogs it fired the imagination for the creation of a top tier competition and a stage worthy of her talents.
Without seeking to, she became the face of a social movement as well as a sport.
As Daisy’s profile grew she found her voice.
She enriched the footy conversation whenever she spoke about the game, men’s or women’s, her analysis now so valued she will this year ascend to the highest profile commentary gig in the game – on Channel 7’s Friday night footy.
It was a position won through a best in box performance on Grand Final night.
As a veteran player she is in the midst of the quest she most craves – an AFLW premiership with her beloved Demons.
Back-to-back wins against the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne have opened up the possibility like never before.
Her stature and influence is captured on the front page of The Age with the news she is contemplating her first foray into coaching – an offer to join the staff at Geelong.
Should it happen, it will be the first step in the next journey.
That question – how far might a woman go in the men’s game – like everything else she’s done Daisy will test the boundaries and lift the horizon.
And further change the landscape for the generations that follow.