ELIZA McNamara knew her physical strength and endurance were up to AFLW standard. But coming into her sixth season on a list, she knew her kicking needed work.

And a combination of time spent with kicking coach Mitch Merritt over the off-season, and a round two move to a forward-inside mid role, has seen her enjoy career-best form to start the 2026 campaign.

While McNamara's disposal tally has remained incredibly similar year-on-year, despite her move from the wing (she averaged 22.2 per game in 2024, 22.1 in 2025 and 22.3 in 2026). But the quality has vastly improved.

Her disposal efficiency has skyrocketed to 66.1 per cent this season (up from 53.8 last year), driven by a marked improvement in her kicking (59.5 per cent, up from 44.6).

Affecting McNamara's skill development early in her career was the fact she didn't pick up the game until she was 15, and her 18th year was 2020, which saw effectively no football played in Melbourne due to the pandemic.

"I reached out to Mitch when I got back from Europe (post-2025 season), and we would kick together once a week, then probably every second week when pre-pre-season came about (in March). At training, you do all the team drills which is great, but then there's less individual development," McNamara told AFL.com.au.

"I knew I absolutely had to invest in the skill side of the game, and I'm so glad I did. Someone called 'Hanksy' (teammate Tyla Hanks) a 'smooth operator' yesterday, and she's exactly that, but she also works really hard, and that's where she gets her talent.

"I didn't grow up with football. I'm not a natural footballer – sometimes I watch myself and think 'I'm so rigid'. I started playing in about year nine, and before that, I was playing everything under the sun (at Melbourne Girls Grammar), but mostly basketball and soccer.

"I laugh about it with 'Lampy' (teammate Sarah Lampard), I still have the yips sometimes kicking those inside-45 kicks, but I really focused on that over the off-season with Mitch.

"I probably still f*** up 50 per cent, and hit 50 per cent, but that's more than last year."

The Dees are experiencing life under a new coach for the first time in their AFLW history, with Tom Wilson – a first-time AFLW senior coach – having taken over from Mick Stinear.

So far, the Dees are flying with a 4-0 start, even with tweaks being made on the run as Wilson settles into working with his new squad.

McNamara's role changed after round one and she has booted five goals so far, doubling her career tally.

"I was super excited for round one, and at that stage, I was still a winger and had trained in the wing all pre-season with Paxy (Paxman) and 'Banno' (Alyssa Bannan) (and) a little bit of Molly (O'Hehir). Paxy is such a big reason why I love footy so much, it's always the best, training with her on the wing," McNamara said.

"Round two, I got shifted to a forward role with a bit of midfield time, and I've maintained that position since. Each week, I check in and ask what role they want me to play, but the last three, it's been the same.

"The most gratifying part of this season has been seeing everyone lean into Tom as a coach. He's got a real focus on being present, one round at a time, keeping our eyes on what we've got in front of us. That's led to quite a few people just playing their roles and being satisfied with their performance, regardless of the stats.

"It's great seeing someone like (Telstra AFLW Rising Star nominee) Jordy Allen feel so comfortable that she's able to go out and perform (and show) the exact reasons she's been drafted for from the start of her career, rather than having a development season then a breakout season.

"Then people like Sarah Lampard have a new-found confidence and is enjoying her football as well, and is flourishing in the backline. It's been really satisfying seeing a lot of pieces put together."