Mia Austin Kicks Four Goals in Melbourne AFLW Win

A new era for Melbourne's women's football team kicked off with a thrilling win, thanks to recruit Mia Austin's spectacular four-goal performance in her first match wearing the Demons jersey.

The Demons defeated Hawthorn 19 points at Princes Park on Thursday night, with Austin proving she's ready to fill big shoes after joining from Carlton. The game marked coach Tom Wilson's first match leading Melbourne after longtime coach Mick Stinear moved to Geelong.

The match stayed tight all night, with both teams tied heading into the final quarter. But Melbourne turned on the heat when it mattered most, shutting out Hawthorn completely in the last term to secure the victory.

Liv Purcell shone brightest for Melbourne, collecting 32 possessions and nine tackles in her return from knee surgery that had limited her to just two games last season. Captain Kate Hore also impressed despite struggling with her accuracy, finishing with one goal from five attempts.

Hawthorn showed plenty of fight after a slow start. Their new forward combination of Jacqueline Dupuy and All-Australian Aine McDonagh caused problems all night, with McDonagh kicking three goals and Dupuy adding one while taking nine marks.

After Melbourne jumped out to a 23-point lead in the first quarter, the Hawks stormed back in the second. They kicked three goals to one, cutting the margin to just seven points at halftime.

Why This Inspires

This game showcased everything beautiful about women's sports right now. Players like Purcell fought back from serious injury to dominate on the biggest stage, while newcomers like Austin proved that fresh starts can lead to instant success.

The tight contest and dramatic finish showed how competitive the AFLW has become, with both teams refusing to back down. Melbourne's final quarter shutout demonstrated championship resilience, while Hawthorn's fightback proved they'll be tough opponents all season.

For Melbourne fans, the win provides hope that their team can thrive under new leadership. Wilson's first game couldn't have gone much better, setting a positive tone for the season ahead while honoring the strong foundation Stinear built over previous years.

Women's football continues growing stronger with every season, delivering the kind of exciting, competitive matches that keep fans coming back for more.