Game Day North Melbourne Football Club AFLW - Season 2024 Premiers - First EVER (AFLM/W) UNDEFEATED PREMIERSHIP SEASON - The Invincibles

[Ligma]

 

[Chadwiko]

How is the crowd?

Few thousand.

 

[The Talent Scout]

Everyone played their part and that’s what wins you Premierships more often than not . Can’t underestimate the significance of the win for our Club . Hoping it’s the start of a successful era for both the women and the men. Go The Mighty Roos.

Really good post Ashley B, I'm pretty sure a lot of people aren't ready for how good our men's team is going to be next year and the year after, some will be hoping and others will not say much as in being nervous and not 100% convinced we are going to get there.

I don't go into things half cocked or to let emotion get in the way or even get way ahead of myself when thinking about things like this so when I say our men's team is going to be something quite special I mean it in every sense of the word.

You could see it with the girls, years ago, the little things, and it all came together, for the guys, its very much there and when it starts, a lot of people {even some that think we'll be a good team, are going to be in total shock, in a good way, at how good we are going to be} they wont be prepared for the change and evolution of this team although some will, this great women's team is just the start, wait till the boys get in sync, your going to see something else.

 

[Samsquanch]

Now that the release valve has been opened up on the pressure cooker l'm expecting a lot more GF wins...

I can't see North losing another game.


Not in the next few seasons anyway!!?

 

[Samsquanch]

The free Alice got in front of the Gardiner Stand where the Lions fans were in the second quarter was an absolute stinker. Should have been the other way

Heaps of mistakes.

The free against Alice half way through Q2 after the "not 15" call was also dodgy. She seemed to get a boot to the ball when tackled. The boos from the crowd told the story.

 

[Only Forwards]

Heaps of mistakes.

The free against Alice half way through Q2 after the "not 15" call was also dodgy. She seemed to get a boot to the ball when tackled. The boos from the crowd told the story.

Ball hit the ground and then her boot.

I mean technically you can call it.

However given the volume of leeway that ‘jarred put in the tackle’ and ‘legitimate attempt’ get in the general run of play the call was about what I would expect.

 

[CURVE]

True Roo: Why Arden St always 'felt like home' for Kearney

True Roo: Why Arden St always 'felt like home' for Kearney​

Emma Kearney's ties to North Melbourne stretch way back before her playing days, and on Saturday night she led the club to its maiden AFLW flag
By Sarah Black

Emma Kearney celebrates as the final siren sounds after the 2024 AFLW Grand Final between North Melbourne and Brisbane at Ikon Park. Picture: AFL Photos

EMMA Kearney is North Melbourne.

Yes, there was a brief sojourn to the Western Bulldogs, winning a flag and an AFLW best and fairest in her two years at the Kennel, but Arden Street has always been "home".

Kearney has been there since the early days, playing for Melbourne Uni a decade ago when the Mugars approached AFL clubs in the area, looking for training facilities.

She said Carlton turned them down, but the Roos – led by now-president Sonja Hood in the community department – said yes. Kearney was captain at the time.

The eight-time All-Australian has been North Melbourne's skipper since its first season in 2019. A teacher by trade, she's worked in the community team ("the Huddle") herself, and is currently a development coach with the men's program.

And on Saturday night, Kearney led North Melbourne to its maiden AFLW flag, coincidentally on Carlton's home deck of Ikon Park.

Emma Kearney in action during the 2024 AFLW Grand Final between North Melbourne and Brisbane at Ikon Park. Picture: AFL Photos

"I saw some of the old Melbourne Uni girls I used to play with, and it's just really special," Kearney told AFL.com.au.

"Emma Phillips reached out to Sonja, and she said we could come and use the facilities. From those early days playing at Melbourne Uni, we were using Arden Street as our home base, the lecture theatre, the gym.

"For me, when I left the Bulldogs, it was always an easy decision to come, because it felt like home.

"The fact that North have always been so progressive in how they wanted to support women's footy, it's super. Reward for effort, I think."

While she rounds out the season with a second premiership medallion, 2024 will arguably go down as one of the toughest of her career, missing six of the 14 games with a hamstring injury, racing the clock to return for last week's preliminary final.

"I'm just so happy with this group. Personally, it was a hard season for me, missing a large chunk of it, but the growth that our group has had – if we had lost one of our leaders in previous seasons, we would have struggled," Kearney said.

"The fact we were still undefeated while I wasn't there, made it easier for me to sit on the sidelines. It was a hard rehab, I had two other tears. It was a six-weeker hammy, it was a tendon, but during the rehab phase, I did a calf, then another smaller hammy.

"The medical staff were so good to get me up. Just to get through to the prelim was a relief, then to play in the prelim allowed me to play with a bit more freedom tonight, not to worry about my body. The prelim, I know I played limited minutes, but the whole time I was concerned about my hammy. Didn't have to think about it today, which is nice."

So limited were Kearney's minutes last week, she played only 38 per cent game time, including sitting out nearly all of the last quarter when the game was in the bag.

But it was the Kearney of old that took to the field on Saturday night, that dangerous (and slightly manic) glint in her eye, sidesteps aplenty as she streamed down the field.

She set the tone in the opening quarter, driving the ball forward time and time again, and having the time of her life as she attempted to suck opponents into silly free kicks.

"I felt like my form was pretty good this season, that I was defending my best, then obviously got cut short with injury," Kearney said.

"I felt like I was really poor against Port, that I was just trying to get my hands on the footy and defensive shape was pretty poor. It was a big focus of mine, I wanted to have a really clear plan.

"I knew that Brisbane liked to surge at stoppage, they like to suck up a few of their high half-forwards up to congestion, and that I could drop off them there. The plan we had across all lines, we were able to execute, which was pleasing."

Defensive teammate Jas Ferguson said she instantly knew "Kearney's here to play", and joked she'd tried to avoid her ferocity at training earlier in the week.

"I think that was one of her best games all season. Obviously she's missed a few, but I think just the passion she plays with – she was always going to play well today," Ferguson said.

"Just an unreal human on and off the field, she absolutely deserves this, and I'm so proud for her to be my captain, I absolutely love her."

 

[Hearts to hearts]

The players again so generous with their time and attention - now I’m in the queue for the cup photo. Or I hope that’s what this queue is for.

 

[Sillygit]

The players again so generous with their time and attention - now I’m in the queue for the cup photo. Or I hope that’s what this queue is for.

could be a coffee cart

 

[Chadwiko]

The players again so generous with their time and attention - now I’m in the queue for the cup photo. Or I hope that’s what this queue is for.

They're absolutely class acts. This is a special group, for sure.

 

[Goobermetrics]

The players again so generous with their time and attention - now I’m in the queue for the cup photo. Or I hope that’s what this queue is for.

Any ideas how long the festivities will go on for? I'm sure they are knackered but it would be great to get over there.

 

[The Talent Scout]

I know of a better ruck

Like who?

 

[Hearts to hearts]

could be a coffee cart

It was for the cup, and Tess and Ferg were there to take the photo with me - ai think they are on a roster. This is so cool. Players are still hanging around chatting and signing and taking selfies with supporters even though it’s all loose now.

You know how every year I compare membership gear with what my wife gets from Collingwood? None of it matters on a day like this - I love being part of a club that takes care of its members. No extra charge, just genuine and grateful for the support.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Mind you, I think it’s also a special difference with W.

 

[Sillygit]

I was scared that this team of absolute legends was going to end up in that "good but didnt quite win a flag" category. So while there is an overwhelming sense of joy and elation today, there's also a touch of reluef.

And of course part of me is already thinking back to club cricket days: "where there's one, there's two".

 

[muttley45]

An interesting piece of trivia, Brisbane's only goal came courtesy of a 50m penalty, and 2 of their 3 behind's were rushed by us, so take that away and they actually scored 1 behind for the entire game.

 

[Dan]

Easy to point out after the fact….but having just watched this for the first time…the girls didn’t look nervy at all…you can see and hear the bullet proof confidence as they walk out…

North Melbourne Women’s on Instagram: "Eyes on the prize. #JustYouWaitAndSee"

1,608 likes, 9 comments - nmfcwomens on November 30, 2024: "Eyes on the prize. #JustYouWaitAndSee".

www.instagram.com

 

[Marstermind]

A few end of season stats:

• we have the fourth most victories in AFLW history with 54 from 75 matches, behind Adelaide (66 from 93), Brisbane (54 from 93) and Melbourne (62 from 87)
• we have the third fewest losses in AFLW history. We have lost 19 of our 75 matches, behind Essendon (16) and Hawthorn (17) who have both played only 33.
• Since joining the AFLW our winning percentage is 72%, which is the highest in the league, ahead of Melbourne (71.26%), Adelaide (70.97%) and Brisbane (69.89%).
• Our cumulative points percentage is 172.92%, which is the highest in the league, ahead of Adelaide (162.29), Brisbane (152.07%) and Melbourne (145.74%).

If you take out Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne, our W/L record is 44 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses. The 4 losses are 2 to Collingwood and 2 to Fremantle. No one else has beaten us.

 

[Chadwiko]

Easy to point out after the fact….but having just watched this for the first time…the girls didn’t look nervy at all…you can see and hear the bullet proof confidence as they walk out…

North Melbourne Women’s on Instagram: "Eyes on the prize. #JustYouWaitAndSee"

1,608 likes, 9 comments - nmfcwomens on November 30, 2024: "Eyes on the prize. #JustYouWaitAndSee".

www.instagram.com

Some of us pointed it out the day before

Went to the Captain's Run this morning and had a good chat with quite a few of the girls.

None of them are nervous. They're all just ready.

Let's go.

 

[sruss]

So happy this arvo. I’ve got photos of me as a kid at the club after 96 and 99, and now my little girl has the same photos with a new group of legends - so thankful to the club and the girls for giving their time to help make such a happy memory for my family. She got to do something I never did though - sit in the Cup

 

[speedy]

Recruited well
Drafted well
Coached well
Developed the skills well
Developed the fitness well
Developed young players well
Managed short term injuries well
Managed long term injuries well
Hell, even recruited Irish players well

Is this even the same club as the mens?

The onus is fair and square on the men’s playing group now, because it seems this club knows how to football.

 

[The Brady Bunch]

Yep but as we know a flag could change those plans

Sure it could. People respond differently. With some, a premiership is the completion of a goal and signifies the time to start something new. For others, the elation is something they want to experience again and so it drives them to continue.

 

[RobZombie]

How good was Any Smith btw? Haters pretty quiet this morn

You can user her formal title: North Melbourne Premiership Player Amy Smith.

 

[The Brady Bunch]

Any ideas how long the festivities will go on for? I'm sure they are knackered but it would be great to get over there.

Finished at 3pm officially. Some players hung around longer chatting with friends.

 

[shintemaster]

Really good post Ashley B, I'm pretty sure a lot of people aren't ready for how good our men's team is going to be next year and the year after, some will be hoping and others will not say much as in being nervous and not 100% convinced we are going to get there.

I don't go into things half cocked or to let emotion get in the way or even get way ahead of myself when thinking about things like this so when I say our men's team is going to be something quite special I mean it in every sense of the word.

You could see it with the girls, years ago, the little things, and it all came together, for the guys, its very much there and when it starts, a lot of people {even some that think we'll be a good team, are going to be in total shock, in a good way, at how good we are going to be} they wont be prepared for the change and evolution of this team although some will, this great women's team is just the start, wait till the boys get in sync, your going to see something else.

100% on board. Agree completely. Good times are finally coming and it will be fun to watch.