The AFL has been praised for a fresh approach to the constant “vitriol” surrounding the AFLW competition.

On Friday, the same day the AFLW competition kicked off with Carlton defeating Richmond at Ikon Park, footy fans were noticing something a little different on the AFL Facebook page.

Following a Facebook post about the AFLW – certain negative fans were hitting out at the league for posting content relating to the women’s league - on a page they expected to only focus of the men’s form of the game.

But this time, the AFL wasn’t taking the criticism lying down.

Social media users noticed the AFL social team was instead hitting back, defending the much-maligned AFLW – and doubling down on their support of the league.

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Adelaide's AFLW title defence has started badly with a 13-point loss to a new-look Brisbane (pic). Credit: AAP

In one particular comment thread, the AFL Facebook account responded to a dissatisfied fan who asked: “why is AFL posting about AFLW”.

“Because AFLW is a part of the AFL,” the AFL account responded.

“Then why do they (the AFLW) have their own (Facebook) page, at the moment they get more attention because they have two pages posting about them,” another AFL fan wrote.

“Maybe because the AFLW season is starting tonight,” the AFL responded.

The AFL account hits back. Credit: Facebook

On a separate comment thread, the AFL social media team seemed to be running out of patience.

“The men’s league isn’t subject to such a volume of unwarranted vitriol purely for its existence,” the AFL account wrote.

“We will always support AFLW across our social media platforms.”

Footy fans were quick to praise the AFL’s fresh and powerful approach to the trolls, who have been getting away with disgusting comments about the AFLW with little or no consequences.

Pearce relishes new role in AFLW return

A full 693 days since last lacing up her boots at AFLW level, Daisy Pearce relished a new role in her return to the stage.

Pearce took the 2019 season off to have twins Sylvie and Roy, but skippered the Demons to Saturday’s opening-round win over North Melbourne.

“(It was) awesome, just good to be back out there,” Pearce said.

“All things aside, just to start off round one like that with a pretty gritty win on a tough day with some challenges throughout our pre-season - to come away with a win against North who we knew were going to be quality opposition - perfect start.”

Pearce, who made her name as an on-baller, had 12 disposals and was cool-headed across half-back.

“I’ve had a lot to learn, learning a new position and I think that’s one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about the preparation and looking forward to this season is the challenge of learning a new position,” Pearce said.

Captain Daisy Pearce (C) is relishing a new role in her successful AFLW comeback for Melbourne. Credit: AAP

Coach Mick Stinear said the 31-year-old might return to the midfield, but her cool head under pressure made her a defensive asset.

Pearce highlighted an increase in game awareness as a major change since her last game.

“(There was) certainly a change in the amount of chatter about structure and positioning and all that thing going on,” she said.

“I think more understanding on both teams and awareness of game style and I just put that down to more time and more access to the resources that we’ve got now to learn the game.

“That was probably the biggest thing.”

With AAP