Daisy Pearce uncertain over AFLW future

AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce won't be rushed into a call on her playing future, narrowing her focus on Melbourne's pursuit of a breakthrough premiership.

Pearce is set to join AFL premiers Geelong as part of the women's coaching acceleration program when she hangs up her boots.

But the 34-year-old will first attempt to add a flag to her remarkable resume when she leads the Demons into Sunday's grand final against the Brisbane Lions.

Whether she plays on in 2023 remains to be seen.

"I honestly haven't made a decision on it," Pearce told reporters on Monday.

"I'm just going to let myself stay in the moment and enjoy this week and have an almighty crack on the weekend and just see where the dust settles on that.

"It kind of feels like there's way too many variables in it for me to make a call. I'll just wait and see at the end of the year."

Pearce was Melbourne's inaugural marquee player when the national competition began in 2017, having previously starred in the Victorian state league and exhibition matches.

She took one season off to give birth to twins but returned to action in 2020, reclaiming her place as one of the AFLW's most influential players.

Pearce has captained the Demons for six seasons, is a three-time club best-and-fairest winner and has been named All-Australian three times.

The only thing missing is a premiership, but Pearce won't let the outcome of Sunday's season decider dictate her retirement decision.

"I don't feel like it hangs on the result," Pearce said.

"I'm a pretty intuitive, kind of gut-feel sort of person. I'll just need time to let it all sink in and see where I'm at.

"I'll sit down and have a chat with the list manager and coach and all of that kind of thing. It's just not something that I'm rushing to make a call on.

"I don't feel the need to and I'm just looking forward to going out and competing on the weekend."

Pearce sealed Melbourne's position in a second straight grand final when she kicked a brilliant late goal in last Saturday's preliminary final win over North Melbourne.

"It was good to hit the scoreboard but more importantly it was just good to get to a point where we knew we were in the grand final," Pearce said.