Two keys to the AFLW grand final, North Melbourne’s Jasmine Garner (left) and Brisbane’s Taylor Smith. Photos: AFL MEDIA
Sound the fanfare. History will be made in this year’s AFLW grand final, even before the first bounce.
In what could possibly set a precedent for the women’s elite football competition, this season-decider at IKON Park will be the first one ever played at night. It will also be the first time the same combatants have played off for the premiership two years running.
Reigning premier Brisbane will be appearing in its sixth grand final – two more than three-time premier Adelaide. A Lions victory would see Brisbane equal the Crows’ three flags, while the Kangaroos are hoping to make history on two levels.
A North Melbourne victory would give the club not only a maiden flag, but earn it the distinction of being an undefeated premier, a feat no VFL/AFL or AFLW side has accomplished.
In lieu of a bell to start this heavyweight grudge match, bring on the opening siren.
GRAND FINAL
NORTH MELBOURNE (12-0-1) v BRISBANE (11-2) (IKON Park, Saturday, IKON Park, 7.45 pm local time)
In one corner, the Kangaroos stand with an almighty chip on their shoulders – namely, their 2023 grand final loss to the Lions in a contest North Melbourne led as late as midway through the final term.
But then, depending on your perspective, the Roos either ran out of steam and let the cup slip through their fingers, or the Lions persevered and overpowered their opponents.
In either case, the result drove North Melbourne to play like a team possessed this season, from steamrolling the Lions in week one, to setting a new AFLW single-season record for wins, points scored, and percentage.
In the opposite corner, the Lions are no less ravenous for a premiership. They have a chance to square their ledger in grand finals and equal the number of premierships any AFLW side has ever won.
Last weekend’s preliminary finals told two different tales.
While the Roos ground Port Adelaide into dust with a 12-goal barrage and an impenetrable defence which didn’t concede a goal until the final term, it took some creative magnet shifting by Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich to overcome a determined Crows side.
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North Melbourne’s attack features 2024 All-Australian midfielders Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner – the latter of whom may have arguably the sharpest on-field instincts of any player in the competition.
Add to the mix 2024 All-Australian goalsneak Alice O’Loughlin, who booted a career best 16 majors, Kate Shierlaw, who kicked a league fourth-best 18, plus Vikki Wall (three goals last weekend), Bella Eddey and Garner, who all registered double figures in goals, and you’ve got a side that can score at will.
Despite not having one of their individual defenders make this year’s All-Australian squad, make no mistake, the Kangaroos defend better than any other team. They conceded a league best 208 points — a measly 19 per game.
The Lions, with a league high four All-Australian representatives – winger Sophie Conway, tall forward and goalkicking leader Taylor Smith, and midfielders Ally Anderson and Belle Dawes – thrive on adjusting on the fly.
Starcevich’s deploying of Jade Ellenger to run with and clamp down on just-crowned AFLW best and fairest Ebony Marinoff in last week’s preliminary final helped turn the match in Brisbane’s favour. So did his move to shift hard-nut forward Courtney Hodder into the middle to win contested ball.
No doubt the Lions will be prepared to course correct their week one, 44-point loss to the Kangaroos. But magnet moving and tagging may not be nearly enough to neutralize Garner and Riddell.
While Brisbane can match North Melbourne’s firepower, scoring just 45 fewer points in the home and away season, the Kangaroos’ team defence is peerless. The Lions conceded 127 more points in the regular season, and despite Smith’s prowess in front of the sticks, North Melbourne’s twice previous All-Australian key defender Libby Birch gets the job on her.
On this, their second bite at the apple in a grand final, and after years of dead-end finals campaigns, North Melbourne will at last get the job done and lift the cup.
