By Lauren Wood, Williamstown Media
At just 24 years of age, the sky’s the limit for Eaves, who has become one of the competition’s best-known midfielders and a backbone of Williamstown’s VFLW program.
It’s hard to believe football was once just a winter hobby for Eaves while she focused on Surf Life Saving — a sport in which she competed at national championship level before her football career took off.
Commencing her football journey at age 13 while living in Sydney, Eaves played over 100 junior and senior games combined for Southern Power, alongside current Seagulls teammate Jemima Wrigley.
Wrigley — currently leading the VFLW in defensive-50 rebounds — is also a Southern Power product, and the pair reunited at Williamstown ahead of the 2025 season.
Eaves was also previously a train-on for the Sydney Swans during their inaugural AFLW season, but when it came time to elevate her game, it was Victoria — and specifically Williamstown — that called.
Initially planning a short stint in Melbourne in 2022 to gain different coaching perspectives and improve her skill set and physicality, Eaves ended up playing five straight games to close out the season with the Seagulls.
Making her debut for the Club in Round 9 of that year, she hasn’t looked back.
“I came down to get a taste of the footy down here and ended up finding a second home. All I knew from back in Sydney was that my footy club was my community — and Williamstown gave me that same feeling straight away,” Eaves said.
Since then, the midfielder has played every single game across season’s 2023, 2024, and so far in 2025 — a remarkable show of durability in one of the most physically demanding roles on the field.
Known for her relentless work rate and tackling pressure, Eaves has also added leadership and finals experience to her toolkit.
Her 2024 season was crowned with the Club’s Best & Fairest and Best Finals Player honour, and she’s only taken things to another level in 2025.
Also a member of the 2023 rebel VFLW Team of the Year, Eaves currently sits comfortably atop the Coaches MVP leaderboard as she enjoys the most consistent season of her career so far.
Williamstown Senior Coach Liam Cavanagh described her as “a high-IQ player who’s constantly driving us forward.”
“She’s one of those midfielders who just doesn’t waste time — she gets the ball moving. And with our captain Eliza Straford recovering from an ACL injury this year, Eavesy has stepped up even more as a leader.”
Off the field, Eaves is known for her energy and ability to bring the group together. Whether it’s mentoring younger players, welcoming new teammates, or dancing in the changerooms before games, her presence is a tremendous asset to the Club.
From surf life saving in Sydney to helping build one of the VFLW’s most commanding midfields, Emily Eaves has powered through a unique path — and at 50 games, she’s really only just getting started.
Catch Eaves in jumper number 6 this Sunday morning at 11:05am at DSV Stadium, as the Seagulls look to get on top of the Hawks and return to the winners list.
