She has dominated in the QAFLW, carried on her great form in the VFLW, but now Lilly Pearce is ready to take her game to the next level in her first season with Geelong’s AFLW program.  

Pearce is a talented young ruck with plenty of potential, her incredible tap work a key feature of her game, which will be an asset for Geelong in stoppage situations.  

The 21-year-old signed with the Cats ahead of the 2024 season, bolstering the ruck stocks. 

Pearce told media that she is excited about the opportunity awaiting her this year, to leave her mark on the Geelong team and announce herself as a force in the AFLW.  

“I am so excited to be on this journey and to be here for my first AFLW pre-season,” Pearce said.  

“I think it is going to be unreal; I couldn’t imagine a better group of girls and coaches to do it with.  

“When Geelong reached out, it was super exciting. I came down for a meeting and I ended up being here for four-and-a-half hours, it was super comfortable and I thought this place is unreal.” 

Playing seven games at VFLW level this year with Collingwood, Pearce averaged a league-high 33 hit outs per game before signing with the Cats.  

Before that, the young ruck dominated in the QAFLW, averaging 35 hit outs per game while also spending a season on Richmond’s AFLW list.  

Pearce also thanked her family for supporting her, helping her to realise and achieve her dream of playing AFLW football.  

“I grew up with two younger siblings, we were all really close in age,” Pearce said.  

“Probably that desire to win and that ‘if you’re not first you’re last’ mindset, probably stemmed from there. 

“My parents always pushed to do the best that I can. They probably aren’t involved in the football world as much as some people, but they have always been supportive and I couldn’t ask for better people around me.”  

Geelong’s 2024 NAB AFLW Season kicks off on August 31 when the Cats host Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium. Be One in Hoops in 2024 and sign up as a Geelong AFLW Member today.