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

[The Nostradamus]

seems like no retirements for us this year

next year could more than likely be kearney and shierlaws last maybe rennie too

the key for us in the draft has to be getting young replacements for the above to continue that list balance depth

 

[giantroo]

The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have informed Zoe Savarirayan, Lucy Burke and Sophie Kavanagh they will not be offered contracts for 2025.

Savarirayan was drafted by the Kangaroos in 2022 ahead of Season 7 and played four games in her maiden campaign after being called up for her AFLW debut in Round 6 against Sydney.

She missed the entire 2023 season with an ACL injury and was unable to break back into the side in 2024.

Burke arrived at Arden Street before the 2023 season following a two-season stint at St Kilda.

She made her sole appearance for the Kangaroos against Geelong in Week 2 of the 2024 season, adding to her 12 games for the Saints.

Kavanagh joined as a replacement player on the eve of the 2024 season and leaves without playing at the highest level.

North Melbourne general manager of women’s football Erin Lorenzini thanked Savarirayan, Burke and Kavanagh for their contributions to the club.

“We thank Zoe, Lucy and Sophie for everything they have given during their respective time in our program,” Lorenzini said.

“It is always tough to make these kinds of decisions, and we wish all three girls the best for their future endeavours.

 

[The Nostradamus]

kavanagh stiff, came in at the end of preseason and didnt get a go

 

[Hearts to hearts]

It is a brutal business - this was a very hard team to break into.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Men’s premiership tshirts are back on the website - don’t know how long for, but you want one there seems to be a window.

 

[CURVE]

Roos' season review: History made as unrivalled North salutes in style

Roos' season review: History made as unrivalled North salutes in style​

Our reporters run the rule over your club's 2024 AFLW campaign
By Gemma Bastiani

Kangaroos players celebrate with the premiership cup after the AFLW Grand Final match between North Melbourne and Brisbane at Ikon Park on November 30, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

AS THE dust settles on the season that was, the review process begins in earnest - and that includes from our AFL.com.au experts, too.
We look at what worked, what didn't, season highlights, and what your club needs to do ahead of next season.
Check it out.

Where they finished​

First (10 wins, one draw, zero losses, 315.4 per cent)

What worked​

Put simply, everything. North Melbourne was impenetrable this year, resulting in the first undefeated season to end with a premiership. The balance of each line was unparalleled, combining brute force and physicality with neat skill and run, while the development of the next tier of Roos was arguably the difference in a 2023 Grand Final loss, and this year's breakthrough victory. A high, well-structured defensive unit meant they conceded just 19.2 points per game, while at the other end of the ground a devastating attack generated nearly 10 goals each week. They were the best team in the League at scoring from all three sources – stoppage, intercept, and kick-ins – while the combination of height (Kate Shierlaw, Tahlia Randall, Emma King), strength (Vikki Wall, Alice O'Loughlin) and finesse (Bella Eddey, Tess Craven) made them near-on impossible to defend.

What didn't work​

Very, very little. The one blemish on the Roos' season was a week two draw with Geelong. Played in wet conditions, North Melbourne worked hard to get out to a three-goal lead at half-time, before the Cats worked their way back into the game. While North held on for the split points – thanks to a Libby Birch touch on the goal line – Geelong's 36 points was the highest score conceded for the season. That experience, however, prepared the Roos for a long stretch of games in tricky conditions, all of which they come out on top.

Players react after the siren of the AFLW R2 match between North Melbourne and Geelong at Arden Street on September 8, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

Season highlight​

It's hard to go past the club's maiden AFLW premiership. It was almost the perfect game, to cap off an almost perfect season. The game itself was an encapsulation of the club's season. Young gun Tess Craven was a star, kicking the first goal of the game, before taking some crucial defensive marks in the back half. Unheralded defender Sarah Wright battled it out against Sophie Conway and had a career-best game. Star midfield duo Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell took control around the contest. And captain Emma Kearney's rebounding run was simply devastating. The way the side was able to score quickly early, and hold control over the game, then defend with strength when the Lions threatened to attack, was impressive.

Targets in the player movement period/draft​

The priority for North Melbourne this off-season will be finding long-term development prospects, given the strength and depth of the list across the park. With such a strong, deep draft pool this year, and other teams targeting some fringe Roos, it is likely the side will remain relatively quiet in terms of incoming players, and focus heavily on the draft on December 16.

 

[Only Forwards]

It is a brutal business - this was a very hard team to break into.

I recall an interview with Malcolm Blight where he spoke about becoming disillusioned with some of the sport when they were within a fortnight of winning a flag and they were talking about cutting blokes from the list.

Going from the absolute height of what the sport offers to devastating peoples dreams.

It's a business and you always gotta be moving forward or you'll get overtaken but it must be hard trying to smell the roses while being on the clock always.

 

[CURVE]

The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have informed Zoe Savarirayan, Lucy Burke and Sophie Kavanagh they will not be offered contracts for 2025.

Savarirayan was drafted by the Kangaroos in 2022 ahead of Season 7 and played four games in her maiden campaign after being called up for her AFLW debut in Round 6 against Sydney.

She missed the entire 2023 season with an ACL injury and was unable to break back into the side in 2024.

Burke arrived at Arden Street before the 2023 season following a two-season stint at St Kilda.

She made her sole appearance for the Kangaroos against Geelong in Week 2 of the 2024 season, adding to her 12 games for the Saints.

Kavanagh joined as a replacement player on the eve of the 2024 season and leaves without playing at the highest level.

North Melbourne general manager of women’s football Erin Lorenzini thanked Savarirayan, Burke and Kavanagh for their contributions to the club.

“We thank Zoe, Lucy and Sophie for everything they have given during their respective time in our program,” Lorenzini said.

“It is always tough to make these kinds of decisions, and we wish all three girls the best for their future endeavours.

It will be interesting to see if any of them get picked as delisted free agents. All have spent a season or three in one of the better programmes, so you would think there would be some worth to signing an ex-Roo to a developing squad.

 

[King Corey]

I recall an interview with Malcolm Blight where he spoke about becoming disillusioned with some of the sport when they were within a fortnight of winning a flag and they were talking about cutting blokes from the list.

Going from the absolute height of what the sport offers to devastating peoples dreams.

It's a business and you always gotta be moving forward or you'll get overtaken but it must be hard trying to smell the roses while being on the clock always.

Slightly off topic, mandatory list changes (applicable to both comps) are stupid.

Clubs should be able to keep their hand if they want.

Contriving draft picks is a pointless exercise.

 

[andana]

 

[The Brady Bunch]

Slightly off topic, mandatory list changes (applicable to both comps) are stupid.

Clubs should be able to keep their hand if they want.

Contriving draft picks is a pointless exercise.

It's kind of age discrimination in the sense that it is enforcing opportunities for kids but that comes at the cost of ending careers for older players.

 

[CURVE]

It's kind of age discrimination in the sense that it is enforcing opportunities for kids but that comes at the cost of ending careers for older players.

Or in our case, giving young girls an opportunity and then delisting them in a year or two.

 

[Liam Boy]

It would be better at least if there were bigger lists, a reserves league, and a longer season.

 

[Orange Peanut]

It would be better at least if there were bigger lists, a reserves league, and a longer season.

That's what I don't get. Do the players who aren't selected play at a different level in another comp or something? How can you develop someone properly if they're not getting actual game time at a reasonable standard?

 

[King Corey]

The VFLW confuses me. AFLW listed players out of the seniors do not play in that comp?

Was good to win the VFLW cup but still seems strange it's completely separated from the AFLW list so there's no feeder benefit. Unless I'm missing something.

 

[shinboner magic]

Whoever we draft need to play at least a few games in the vfl.
Do those players that don’t play aflw play no competitive games all year ??

 

[chubbspeterson]

So 4 picks in the draft with Savarirayan, Burke, Kavanagh, McGrath gone at this point. Potentially 5 depending on Pullar.
We can't really guarantee a spot like we were able to with Birch to attract players this year.

I watched some highlights of some of the draftees, looks like there's some pretty varying types in the draft from athletic key forward/rucks, athletic defenders and speedy mid/half backs.

 

[The Nostradamus]

So 4 picks in the draft with Savarirayan, Burke, Kavanagh, McGrath gone at this point. Potentially 5 depending on Pullar.
We can't really guarantee a spot like we were able to with Birch to attract players this year.

I watched some highlights of some of the draftees, looks like there's some pretty varying types in the draft from athletic key forward/rucks, athletic defenders and speedy mid/half backs.

3 picks in the draft at this stage
had 31 on the list this year got to go back to 30

 

[chubbspeterson]

3 picks in the draft at this stage
had 31 on the list this year got to go back to 30

Ah yes forgot. 3 picks it is at this stage then.

 

[shinboner magic]

When’s the trade period ending and the draft is when ?

 

[The Nostradamus]

When’s the trade period ending and the draft is when ?

trade period ends tomorrow
draft is monday night from 7pm

 

[The Brady Bunch]

It would be better at least if there were bigger lists, a reserves league, and a longer season.

I suspect you'll have to pick one of those wishes rather than all three. Each one adds substantial costs to the AFLW and the AFL won't foot the bill.

 

[The Brady Bunch]

So 4 picks in the draft with Savarirayan, Burke, Kavanagh, McGrath gone at this point. Potentially 5 depending on Pullar.
We can't really guarantee a spot like we were able to with Birch to attract players this year.

I watched some highlights of some of the draftees, looks like there's some pretty varying types in the draft from athletic key forward/rucks, athletic defenders and speedy mid/half backs.

No because Kavanagh was an extra on the list to cover Stubs' long term injury so we have 3 picks, or 4 if the Pullar trade goes through.

 

[Hatchy1992]

I suspect you'll have to pick one of those wishes rather than all three. Each one adds substantial costs to the AFLW and the AFL won't foot the bill.

For me I think the first thing the afl needs to do is align the aflw season with the vflw season to give the girls not picked in the aflw teams a chance to develop their skills which can only help the game in the long term.

 

[chubbspeterson]

No because Kavanagh was an extra on the list to cover Stubs' long term injury so we have 3 picks, or 4 if the Pullar trade goes through.

Yep got it. Nostra has already told me a few posts before. I forgot about the LTI.