Dees and Dogs to host two games featuring 50 best female players
WOMEN'S football will again take centre stage this season after the AFL announced two exhibition games for the best 50 female players in 2015.
Following success in recent years, the games will again be held between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs' female squads, which will be determined at the women's draft at Etihad Stadium on April 20.
To ensure a new batch of players are able to experience the exhibition games, both clubs have retained only six players from their 2014 squads, allowing the opportunity for younger girls to be selected.
Daisy Pearce, the No.1 draft pick in 2013 for the Demons, will again feature in the red and blue, while Aasta O'Connor, who has captained the Bulldogs since 2013, is also among the players to return.
Michelle Cowan will coach the Demons while the Bulldogs have appointed former Collingwood premiership player and talent manager Craig Starcevic as their coach.
Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson said the club was keen to continue to build and develop women's football.
"The exhibition match provides a platform for the club to share football experiences at an elite level. These players are exciting athletes and we are looking forward to the next clash against the Western Bulldogs," he said.
The first game will be played at the MCG on May 24, with the second clash to take place at Etihad Stadium on August 16.
Both games will be played as curtain-raisers before the Demons-Bulldogs AFL matches.
Dees face Hawks test at the 'G. Follow LIVE from 1.20pm AEST
Follow all the action from Saturday's round nine games
Stream your team: Watch all VFL and VFLW games LIVE and FREE
You can watch every game of the 2025 VFL and VFLW seasons LIVE on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App
Devil in the detail: How Tasmania plans to build a competitive list
Newly appointed recruiting and list bosses Derek Hine and Todd Patterson join Gettable
Old Gold: Why success looks very different for selfless Bomber
Initially viewed as a mentor and unofficial coach for Essendon's promising trio of rucks, injury has seen Todd Goldstein thrust back into the spotlight