Kangas find grandest way to complete perfect AFLW year
Shayne Hope |
North Melbourne have completed a perfect season and become the first AFLW team to win back-to-back premierships with a 40-point win over the Brisbane Lions in the grand final.
Ash Riddell starred in the Kangaroos’ 9.2 (56) to 2.4 (16) triumph at a sold-out Ikon Park on Saturday night, the league’s best-and-fairest winner breaking yet another record with 39 disposals.
It was the highest tally ever recorded in a season decider.
Fellow midfield star Jasmine Garner (28 touches, one goal) also shone, and Jenna Bruton kicked three goals, including two in the final term as the margin blew out.
Eilish Sheerin (28 disposals, nine clearances, two goals) was influential early, while experienced pair Emma Kearney and Libby Birch led superbly in defence.
Sheerin’s goalscoring brilliance and classy all-round game saw her named best-afield.
She was awarded 12 votes for her dominant performance, followed by Riddell (6), Garner (5) and Brisbane’s Belle Dawes (1).
It was North’s 27th consecutive win in a record-breaking streak, with Darren Crocker’s side still unbeaten since losing the 2023 grand final to Brisbane.
The two heavyweight teams met in the decider for a third consecutive season, and it was one-way traffic after a tight start, as the Kangaroos flexed their considerable muscle.
Charlotte Mullins gave Brisbane the perfect start with the first goal of the game, but North kicked the next five before halftime to build a commanding 22-point lead by the main break.
It included a gift to Kate Shierlaw at the start of the second term when experienced Lions defender Shannon Campbell gave away twin 50-metre penalties, advancing her opponent from half-back to the goal square.
The landslide continued in the second half, with Tahlia Randall kicking North’s sixth consecutive major, before Ruby Svarc ended a 40-minute goal drought for Brisbane.
It was brief respite for the Lions, who were outclassed despite the efforts of Dawes (31 disposals), Sophie Conway (22) and Mullins (20).
North’s win made veteran Birch the first four-time AFLW premiership player, including triumphs with the Western Bulldogs (2018), Melbourne (2022) and the Kangaroos (2024-25).
Three Roos – Blaithin Bogue, Eliza Shannon and Sheerin – played in their first flag.
Tough Kangaroos midfielder Mia King was the hard-luck story, missing out on selection after her mooted recall from a knee injury was deemed too big a risk for the decider.
It was more end-of-season heartbreak for Craig Starcevich’s Lions, who have lost in five of their seven grand final appearances.
The result also denied the city of Brisbane a cross-code grand slam, after the Lions’ (AFL) and Broncos’ (NRL, NRLW) premiership successes in September and October.
AAP
