The biggest game of the AFLW season is upon us as the North Melbourne Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions prepare to face off in a tantalizing grand final rematch at Melbourne’s Ikon Park. The undefeated Kangaroos are on a quest for redemption and their first premiership after falling to the Lions in heartbreaking fashion in last year’s decider. Meanwhile, the battle-tested Lions are aiming to etch their names in the history books by becoming the first team to claim back-to-back AFLW flags.
Setting the Stage
The anticipation for this grand final rematch has been building ever since the Lions broke North Melbourne hearts with a final quarter surge to snatch the 2023 premiership. The Kangaroos, still stinging from that defeat, set the tone early this season with a stunning six-goal demolition of Brisbane in round one. North went on to steamroll the competition, finishing the home and away season undefeated to earn a shot at redemption on the biggest stage.
Brisbane, on the other hand, have taken a different path back to the grand final. The defending champions overcame some early season wobbles to once again hit their straps when it matters most. A clinical 30-point preliminary final win over Adelaide was a stark reminder of just how formidable this Lions outfit can be as they chase a remarkable third flag in just nine AFLW seasons.
Key Matchups
While the teams boast star power across every line, the key battles that could decide this grand final include:
- Emma Kearney (NM) vs. Emily Bates (BL) – A midfield clash of the titans between two of the competition’s most damaging and influential players.
- Tahlia Randall (NM) vs. Jesse Wardlaw (BL) – Randall anchors a stingy Roos defense that will need to quell the scoring power of Coleman Medalist Wardlaw.
- Jasmine Garner (NM) vs. Kate Lutkins (BL) – The explosive Garner looms as the X-factor for North, but will need to overcome the stopping power of All-Australian captain Lutkins.
The Stakes
For North Melbourne, this grand final is a chance to complete a perfect season and finally claim the club’s first AFLW premiership. A maiden flag would be a watershed moment for the competition as the first by an expansion side, vindicating the talent and professionalism that has defined the Kangaroos since their inception. As captain Emma Kearney explained:
“This group is so driven and we’ve worked incredibly hard to give ourselves this opportunity. To finish off an undefeated season with a premiership and be the first expansion club to do it would be so special.”
– Emma Kearney, North Melbourne captain
For Brisbane, becoming the first AFLW team to win successive flags would further cement their status as the league’s preeminent club. It would draw them level with Adelaide for the most premierships (three) and deliver champion players like Emily Bates, Kate Lutkins, and Lauren Arnell the ultimate reward for their trailblazing roles in the competition’s early years. As Bates declared after defeating Adelaide:
“We’ve given ourselves a chance to create history and that’s been driving us all year. This group is so hungry and driven, and we’ll leave everything out there to go back-to-back.”
– Emily Bates, Brisbane Lions star
The Final Word
With so much at stake and the immense talent on both sides, this shapes as a grand final for the ages. Can the Kangaroos’ complete their undefeated march to a first flag, or will the big-game experience of the Lions prove the difference once again? One thing is certain – by the final siren, AFLW history will be made under the bright lights of Ikon Park. A close source from AFL House summarized the anticipation:
“It’s the grand final matchup everyone was hoping for. The best two teams all season, both chasing a slice of history, going head-to-head in a rematch of last year’s classic decider. It has all the makings of an absolute epic.”
– Close AFL source
The first bounce is set for 7:45pm AEDT at Ikon Park – and the football world will be watching with bated breath. Will the Kangaroos’ quest for perfection be realized, or can the Lions roar loudest when it matters most and secure their place in AFLW folklore? All will be revealed in a tantalizing clash that is sure to go down in the annals of Aussie rules history.
