A New Era Under Tom Wilson
The Melbourne Demons officially opened their 2026 AFLW campaign with a decisive 9.6 (60) to 6.5 (41) victory over the Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park on Thursday, August 13. The match marked the start of a new era for the Demons under head coach Tom Wilson, who lauded the team’s ability to pull away in the final quarter after a tightly contested battle.
The victory was highlighted by the standout performance of recruit Mia Austin, who arrived from Carlton and immediately made an impact by kicking four goals. Austin served as a focal point in the forward line, effectively filling the void left by the departure of Eden Zanker. Captain Kate Hore also provided significant drive for the Demons, recording 22 disposals and nine score involvements, though her accuracy in front of goal remained a minor concern as she finished with 1.4.
Purcell’s Successful Return
Midfielder Olivia Purcell delivered a commanding performance in her first competitive match in 355 days. After rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament early in the 2025 season, Purcell returned to the starting lineup with 32 disposals, nine tackles, and 354 metres gained. Coach Tom Wilson highlighted her contribution, noting that her performance was a testament to her extensive rehabilitation work.
Hawthorn’s Competitive Challenge
Despite the loss, Hawthorn showed resilience, particularly through their new forward pairing of Aine McDonagh and Jacqueline Dupuy. McDonagh kicked three goals, while Dupuy proved to be a difficult matchup for the Melbourne defense, recording nine marks. The Hawks managed to take a lead late in the third quarter, but were unable to contain the Demons’ momentum in the final term, failing to score in the last 15 minutes of play.
The match was dampened slightly by injury concerns for Melbourne. Ruck Jacinta Hose, who has faced multiple knee reconstructions since being drafted in 2023, was forced from the field with an ankle injury, casting uncertainty on her availability for the coming rounds.