It took a question from an inquisitive two-year-old to help Melbourne star Daisy Pearce fully appreciate the power of AFLW's pride round.
"Why is your Melbourne jumper extra colourful?"
The query from Perace's son Roy about the Demons' themed guernsey in pride round last season sparked an important conversation.
"He just noticed it was different to the one that I normally wear," Pearce said.
"I explained to him that it's pride round, and it means you can be whoever you want to be and love whoever you want to love.
"It was in that moment that I knew the visibility of the jumpers and the PR that goes around pride round in the AFL is important for starting those conversations.
"When it starts a conversation with your own two-year-old it's like, 'Wow, this is so important.'
"I hope that was just one of a million conversations happening that weekend and I hope it's one of another many million this weekend.
"The more we can talk about it and create that safe space for everyone is just so important."
Three feature matches at Ikon Park - Carlton-Richmond, Essendon-Sydney and Geelong-West Coast - will spearhead AFLW's third pride round.
The celebration stems from a pride game pioneered by Carlton and the Western Bulldogs in 2018.
All 18 clubs and the umpires will wear specially-designed uniforms this season, supporting diversity and inclusion of LGBTQI+ communities and families.
AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone hopes the competition can be a place where players and fans feel safe no matter their gender or sexual orientation.
"Our league stands for something and we acknowledge that women's football has been founded by this community," Livingstone said.
"As we continue to grow, it's important to always acknowledge where we have come from.
"For us it's making sure that everybody is welcome at AFLW, it's inclusive, and this round we're focusing on the 'allies' who are looking to support the LGBTQI+ community."
