PAUL Roos says it was a great day for Melbourne on Wednesday, when the club was granted one of the eight initial licenses to compete in the inaugural women’s football league from 2017.

Roos said a women’s team was something “we all hoped was coming” at Melbourne.  

“It’s exciting to have a women’s team and hopefully Daisy Pearce gets her wish and plays for Melbourne,” he said on Roos’ Views.

“Having seen them play over the last two or three years, it’s certainly exciting and I’m looking forward to the first game next Feb.”

Roos said women’s coach Michelle Cowan – now also part of the club’s coaching panel – was a highly impressive coach.

“[She’s] very good. She’s run leadership programs, so she’s well-balanced and she’s had a couple of kids, so she’s got all facets of life covered,” he said.

“She’s got a good handle on the game and she’s well educated here. She’s a really well-balanced person and they’re the type of people you want to lead your footy club.

“I think it’ll be fantastic.”

Roos said the women’s competition was a critical part of growing the game into the future.

“I think it is. The AFL is putting a lot of time and effort into all facets of the game, whether it’s academies or membership drives or helping clubs with sponsorship. To get more people involved in the game – it’s really exciting,” he said.

“I’ve been involved since I was a kid and it’s always been a family game. It’s always been a game that everyone has loved to come and watch.

“The fact that the girls can actually come and play it now at a high standard just makes sense.”