AFLW North Melbourne Football Club AFLW - Season 2024

[Premieroos]

Gee he would know a bit about grand finals

 

[The Nostradamus]

was expecting a speech from clarko to further inspire them also

 

[The Filth Wizard]

was expecting a speech from clarko to further inspire them also

Perhaps but Big Al never won one on the field.

He should be spending his time with Crock.

 

[CURVE]

A nice little article on Lulu Pullar. Has grown, as the season has progressed, into an important player, and is as tough as nails.

Push and Pullar: How heart-and-soul Roo found her balance

Push and Pullar: How heart-and-soul Roo found her balance​

Lulu Pullar missed out on playing in last year's Grand Final. This year, she'll be lining up against her old team in one
By Sarah Black

Lulu Pullar and Eliza Shannon chat with Darren Crocker after a win during round three, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

LULU Pullar's cut down on her work hours this week.
After all, the North Melbourne recruit will be coming face-to-face with former Brisbane teammates Sophie Conway, Orla O'Dwyer and Jade Ellenger on the wing in Sunday's sell-out NAB AFLW Grand Final.
Instead of her normal full-time work at Sunshine Hospital in Melbourne's west, Pullar has dropped back to "only working two 10-hour shifts" this week, and will then work through Christmas.
Her teammates have lauded the impact she has had on the morale of the group in a short space of time, coaxing some more reserved teammates out of their shells and encouraging upbeat energy in the team.

Lulu Pullar celebrates a win with fans in round one, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

"I'm not sure if I'm the spark. Naturally, I'm a very positive, glass half-full person. I get a lot of perspective going to work every day, and I'm very grateful for that," Pullar told AFL.com.au.
"I'm so grateful for my job, and I meet so many people that are probably in positions that I'll never have to be in my life, and I think when you come to training at 5pm on a Wednesday, it's just a joy.
North stars: The quiet achievers behind the Roos' resurgence
"It's truly such a privilege to be a professional athlete, to be able to experience the emotions we did on Sunday, and to have the opportunity to play in a Grand Final. To be part of something that truly matters to people, I just feel so grateful for that.
"I think ultimately, it's perspective that allows me to be positive, and that's the case for everyone in this team. I think all these girls work, all these girls have genuine respect and admiration for one another. It's not just me driving this, it's certainly the full squad."

Lulu Pullar tackles Brooke Vickers during round two, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Just 25 years old, Pullar has already had another life as an elite athlete, progressing through the Brisbane Roar talent pathways in soccer.
"I grew up playing soccer, and played soccer at a high level for a number of years, going through school and my adolescence.
"I grew up in Brisbane, and was part of the Brisbane Roar from a junior age, all the way through to about 19. I went overseas and played in the college system (University of Southern California) for a little bit too.
"I really enjoyed my time as a soccer player, but I was also studying medicine at the time, and it came to a crossroad for me, and I put my soccer career behind. I ended up picking up a footy with a friend, and it's led me down here."
After a few years both studying at and playing with Bond University in the QAFLW, Pullar spent both 2022 seasons with the Brisbane Lions, but was not selected for the Lions' season seven Grand Final.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Lucinda Pullar and Taylor Smith of the Lions are happy with the win during the 2022 AFLW Round 08 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Lions at Mineral Resources Park on February 27, 2022 In Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

She played the first five games of that season, making way for the returning Kate Lutkins, and was then an emergency for the last seven straight matches.
"I figured the balance of working as a doctor while also trying to play AFLW was probably best achieved in Melbourne," Pullar said.
"My workplace (Western Health) offered me that flexibility to pursue both careers. I thought coming down to Melbourne – and particularly as the Kangaroos showed some interest, I looked at their program and their playing list, and obviously 'Crock' (Darren Crocker) their coach, and it was a bit of a no-brainer for me.

"Last year was obviously awesome to be part of it, to experience that Grand Final week, the prelim win, just to see the logistics, the pressure and the excitement of being in a Grand Final.
"Obviously, everyone wants to play in a Grand Final, I'm not going to lie, you're gutted not to be selected in that side. But to hopefully be selected in that side coming on Sunday, and to have the opportunity to potentially play in a Grand Final, it fills me with a lot of joy and excitement.
"I'm quite proud of myself for coming down here and making the most of my opportunity."

 

[Rod Stroker]

Perhaps but Big Al never won one on the field.

He should be spending his time with Crock.

Yeah, you'd reckon at some point this week, Crock and Clarko would address the girls, how they played together, Crock won a flag at North and Clarko didn't, but went on to coach 4, and what it means to them

 

[CURVE]

Burke, Gavalas and McGrath added to squad.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Lol lions named Davidson for now

 

[giantroo]

This is a message for our Kangaroos ...

Club president Sonja Hood delivers a rallying cry ahead of the club's first AFLW Grand Final

www.nmfc.com.au

 

[DarwinRoo]

My niece is in that clip.

Certainly got the tears flowing that’s for sure.

 

[Jonnoo]

Lol lions named Davidson for now

Has she trained this week?

 

[CURVE]

This is a message for our Kangaroos ...

Club president Sonja Hood delivers a rallying cry ahead of the club's first AFLW Grand Final

www.nmfc.com.au

Ah! Sonja's an okay President.

 

[shinboner magic]

Gee he would know a bit about grand finals

Sounds more like a future coach than a list manager

 

[Kanga Glory]

This is a message for our Kangaroos ...

Club president Sonja Hood delivers a rallying cry ahead of the club's first AFLW Grand Final

www.nmfc.com.au

I just smiled to myself listening to that. It's a little funny saying but this club can change my mood and mind

 

[Crazy Horse]

This is a message for our Kangaroos ...

Club president Sonja Hood delivers a rallying cry ahead of the club's first AFLW Grand Final

www.nmfc.com.au

Brilliant! Got pretty emotional watching that.

 

[Nylex]

Amazing from Sonja. That would have fired any one up!! I need a cuppa tea to calm down

 

[Johnny99]

Brilliant! Got pretty emotional watching that.

So did I......

 

[Teen Wolf]

 

[Chadwiko]

This is a message for our Kangaroos ...

Club president Sonja Hood delivers a rallying cry ahead of the club's first AFLW Grand Final

www.nmfc.com.au

Gee that's a brilliant bit of content.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Has she trained this week?

Vision of Dakota training tonight moving ok but leg heavily strapped

But from crying thinking she’s done a serious knee injury to now playing is amusing

 

[Colbys Boots]

If anyone's still chasing grand final tickets, send me a DM as I have spares.

 

[Amicalola]

I hope when Shiels becomes a coach he decides to do it here. Also thought Sonja's vid was great.

 

[Hazey1977]

Any recommendations for a free VPN app for my phone. I'll be in the US from tonight and need to get into my Kayo!

On SM-G781B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Gumble Frankieton]

My niece is in that clip.

Certainly got the tears flowing that’s for sure.

Yeah, the same for me as the bloke running on the greyhound track looks a lot like my old man. He spent a year at North in the early 60's playing in the reserves and stayed a staunch North person until he died a few months after our last flag in '99.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Nice shirt, Mike.

 

[DarwinRoo]

What is a likely date for the Best and Fairest for this season?