In a historic grand final showdown, the North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos have secured their first ever AFLW premiership, crushing the Brisbane Lions in a dominant display at Ikon Park. The Kangaroos capped off an undefeated season with a resounding 30-point victory, 6.3 (39) to 1.3 (9), in front of a passionate crowd of 12,122.
Garner Shines on the Big Stage
Leading the charge for the Kangaroos was midfield sensation Jasmine Garner, who delivered a best on ground performance to spearhead her team’s triumph. Garner’s influence was felt across the park, amassing an incredible 35 disposals, including 22 contested possessions, along with 13 tackles and 10 clearances.
Eyes on the prize
– North Melbourne Kangaroos banner
First Half Dominance Sets the Tone
The Kangaroos set the tone early, with their first half dominance effectively putting the game out of reach for the Lions before a second-half arm wrestle ensued. Young gun Tess Craven opened the scoring, followed by two quick goals from Alice O’Loughlin to give the Roos a commanding lead at the main break.
Captain Kearney Turns Back the Clock
North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney, now a two-time premiership player, wound back the clock with a vintage performance. Despite having missed seven weeks with a hamstring injury, Kearney’s class and experience shone through as she consistently broke the lines and set up scoring opportunities for her teammates.
Lions Fight Hard but Fall Short
To their credit, the Lions fought valiantly until the final siren, but were ultimately outclassed by a ruthless North Melbourne outfit. Ally Anderson, Shannon Campbell, and skipper Bre Koenen, all playing in their 16th career final, worked tirelessly to keep their team in the contest. However, the Kangaroos’ pressure and intensity proved too much to overcome.
Roos Make History as First Expansion Team Premiers
The victory marks a significant milestone for the North Melbourne Kangaroos, becoming the first expansion team to claim an AFLW premiership. The win also sees star recruit Libby Birch become a three-time premiership player across three different clubs, all against the Lions.
North Melbourne’s AFLW success has provided an antidote to the pain of following the men’s side
– According to a football commentator
A New Era for the Kangaroos
As the final siren sounded and the North Melbourne faithful erupted in jubilation, it was clear that this was not just a premiership win, but the dawn of a new era for the club. The Kangaroos’ undefeated season and dominant grand final performance have firmly established them as the team to beat in the AFLW competition.
With a talented and youthful list, complemented by experienced leaders like Kearney and Garner, the future looks incredibly bright for the North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos. As they bask in the glory of their historic triumph, the question on everyone’s lips is whether this is the beginning of a new AFLW dynasty.
Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the North Melbourne Kangaroos have earned their place in the annals of AFLW history, and their journey is only just beginning.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the North Melbourne Kangaroos, becoming the first expansion team to claim an AFLW premiership. The win also sees star recruit Libby Birch become a three-time premiership player across three different clubs, all against the Lions.
North Melbourne’s AFLW success has provided an antidote to the pain of following the men’s side
– According to a football commentator
A New Era for the Kangaroos
As the final siren sounded and the North Melbourne faithful erupted in jubilation, it was clear that this was not just a premiership win, but the dawn of a new era for the club. The Kangaroos’ undefeated season and dominant grand final performance have firmly established them as the team to beat in the AFLW competition.
With a talented and youthful list, complemented by experienced leaders like Kearney and Garner, the future looks incredibly bright for the North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos. As they bask in the glory of their historic triumph, the question on everyone’s lips is whether this is the beginning of a new AFLW dynasty.
Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the North Melbourne Kangaroos have earned their place in the annals of AFLW history, and their journey is only just beginning.
