Austin kicks four on Melbourne debut as Demons beat Hawks by 19

Recruited from Carlton in the off-season, Mia Austin kicked a career-best four goals on her Melbourne debut as the Demons beat Hawthorn 9.5 (59) to 5.10 (40) in round one of the 2026 NAB AFLW season at IKON Park. Austin, seen as the ideal replacement for Eden Zanker (now at Fremantle), had nine score involvements. Scores were level at three-quarter time before Melbourne held Hawthorn scoreless in the last term.