Ahead of De Berry's and Lauren Ahren's 50th milestone games, we take a closer look at some of the defining moments in their stories to date. 

Drafted:

De Berry: Pick 9, 2016 AFLW Draft – Melbourne Demons

Ahead of the inaugural season of AFLW in 2017, Berry would be selected by the Demons with pick nine of the 2016 draft, joining now teammate Ellie Blackburn as the only current Dogs from the first season.

Lauren Ahrens: Pre-draft signing, 2019 AFLW Draft – Gold Coast Suns

Having had stints playing football in the VFLW for both St Kilda and Essendon, Ahrens’ dream of playing senior football was finally realised when she was selected by the Gold Coast Suns as part of the 2019 draft – the same draft as current teammates Ellie Gavalas, Issy Grant, Britney Gutknecht and Mua Laloifi. The defender would have the additional honour of joining the Suns’ inaugural team.

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50 Games | Deanna Berry

Look back at some of De Berry's best moments so far, as she reaches 50 games on Thursday against West Coast.

First game:

De Berry: Round 1 v Brisbane Lions, 2017

As one of the Demon’s top picks, it would come as no surprise that Berry would make her debut in the Club’s inaugural game in Round 1 of 2017. The conditions were less than ideal, with storms delaying the team’s first official outing against the Lions at Casey Fields. While Berry’s first game resulted in a loss, she wouldn’t have to wait long for a first taste of victory with the Demons recording their first win in the competition the following week against Collingwood. Berry would go on to feature in all seven games in her first season.

Lauren Ahrens: Round 1 v GWS Giants, 2020

Similar to the Demons, the Suns were keen to see what their new draftee had to offer with Ahrens running out in the red and gold for the first time in Round 1 of 2020 against the GWS Giants. There was plenty to love from the new defender, who recorded 15 disposals and four tackles playing off the half-back line. Ahrens would continue to build across the 2020 season helping her team reach the Semi Finals.

First goal:

De Berry: Round 3 v Western Bulldogs, 2017

In quite an ironic moment, Berry’s first career goal would come against none other than her current team in Round 3 of the 2017 season, from the pocket of Mission Whitten Oval. The irony doesn’t stop there. Berry’s first goal came directly off an assist from former teammate Daisy Pearce – who is now the coach of the West Coast Eagles, the opposition for Berry’s milestone game.

Lauren Ahrens: Round 4 v North Melbourne, 2020

While she’s normally more comfortable stopping goals, Ahrens had the opportunity to kick her first against North Melbourne in Round 4 of 2020. Having pushed forward, Ahrens won a free kick and a 50m penalty for her efforts, before slotting her first career goal from the top of the square.

 

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50 Games | Lauren Ahrens

Check out Loz's best moments to date, ahead of her 50th game on Thursday against West Coast.

Awards:

De Berry: 2017 Rising Star Nomination, 2018 Premiership Player, 2021 Coaches’ Award

While there are many individual accolades and accomplishments to celebrate over her journey, none will arguably compare to the Premiership win in 2018. In an unforgettable battle against the Lions, Berry would fight hard and kick an all-important major in the Dogs’ one-goal victory to claim the Club’s first Premiership.

Lauren Ahrens: 2021 All-Australian Squad, 2021 womens.afl ‘Team of the Year’, 2021 Gold Coast Suns Club Champion

Having established herself as one of the best defenders in the competition, Ahrens was nominated as part of the All-Australian squad and selected as part of the womens.afl ‘Team of the Year’ for a standout season in 2021. In the same year, Ahrens would also receive top Club honours winning the Gold Coast Suns Best and Fairest Award.

Arrival at the Dogs:

De Berry: 2018 AFLW Trade Period via Melbourne

Berry would trade the red and blue for the red, white and blue after one season at the Demons. Arriving in 2018 as part of a trade which saw Pick 12 go to the Demons, Berry quickly established herself as one of the Dogs’ top stars.

Lauren Ahrens: 2023 AFLW Trade Period via Gold Coast Suns

It was an 11-club mega-trade which saw Ahrens arrive at Mission Whitten Oval. Going down to the final-hour of the 2023 AFLW Trade period, the Bulldogs would secure the services of both Ahrens and Jas Smith from the Suns, alongside Analea McKee from the Lions.