AFLW weekly LIVE: Pearce, Hore begin new rivalry; Hill lauds firing Blues; teams named for round six

Inaugural AFLW club Carlton are staring down one of the best starts to an AFLW season in years.

In 2024, the team had only managed to win four games and finished 14th on the ladder, in a season marred by injury. This year, the team have already won four games – a feat vice-captain Mimi Hill attributes to an “energy change”.

Carlton’s Mimi Hill and Sophie McKayCredit: Getty Images

“I’ve been at Carlton for a while now and this is the first season where it just feels really different, the energy is really different,” she said.

“We’re playing really good team footy, everyone’s playing for each other. And, yeah, that’s probably the main thing that has changed. Like, it’s not about individuals performance. Everybody is turning up and playing their role and it’s really working for us.”

Hill also noted Carlton’s changed list which includes a slew of new rookies which have energised the team on and off field.

Carlton are gearing up to face the undefeated North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon who have squashed every rival in their path so far.

What was the key to defeating the North juggernaut?

“North is just a powerhouse and you want to be involved in those big games and this year, we actually are a team that can hopefully take it up to North,” Hill said.

Garner has recovered quickly from an ankle injury Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

North skipper Jasmine Garner – who recently returned from an ankle injury – said the team tried not to think too much about their undefeated status and wanted to “take every game as it comes”.

The superstar midfielder was sidelined during the team’s round four clash against Collingwood – the first time she’s missed an AFLW game since her debut with Collingwood in round one in 2017.

Garner confirmed recovery had gone smoothly, joking she got to see the game from the coaches’ box for the first time.

Earlier this week, Melbourne captain Kate Hore jokingly sent West Coast Eagles coach Daisy Pearce a quick text message.

“I asked her for the game plan, but she didn’t give me too much,” Hore laughed.

Kate Hore of the Demons celebrates a goal.Credit: AFL Photos

Melbourne will face West Coast Eagles at Casey Fields on Sunday afternoon – the first time the two sides have met since Daisy Pearce became coach.

Pearce and Hore played together at Melbourne Football Club, with Hore serving as the former’s vice-captain. When Pearce retired in 2023, she handed the reigns over to Hore who took on the captaincy.

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“It’s obviously going to be a little bit different playing against her, not with her, it’s a bit of a strange feeling,” Hore said

“I played with Daisy for so long. She was my captain for such a long time and such a close friend as well. So it’s a bit weird being enemies rather than friends.”

Hore is full of praise for Pearce, describing her friend as being one of the biggest influences in her career.

“Daisy taught me so much,” Hore said. “I was so incredibly lucky to have played under her for so many years, and to be her vice captain, I guess I got a really great apprenticeship into what it was like to be the captain of a footy club.”

“I think the main thing that she taught me is, is just to be authentic and be who you are and bring your strengths to the role,” she continued.

Is a coaching career something Hore envisages for herself?

“I’m not too sure at the moment,” she laughed. “I think I definitely see myself staying involved in footy in what capacity… I think I’ve still got to work that out, potentially coaching or potentially the footy admin side of thing.”

Welcome to our hub for everything you need to know for round six of the AFLW season, which begins on Saturday with Collingwood taking on Hawthorn.

All our AFLW coverage is in the one place each week with our blog.

For round six , that’s right here – starting with the announcement of the teams. From the moment the first teams for the round are published, until the wash-up from the final game of the round is done, this is your home of women’s footy.