AFLW North Melbourne Football Club AFLW - Season 2024

[CURVE]

What does Lool mean?

 

[The Nostradamus]

What does Lool mean?

Essentially picture wright trying to contest a mark one on one that would be the expression of the oppo

 

[DarwinRoo]

Martin hasn’t set a foot wrong since a shaky start to the year, very unlucky but Jenna is just too good to leave out.

 

[Gumble Frankieton]

Martin has improved as the year has gone on and will become a good player for us but I think she looked a bit unsure against the Crows. I described it as ‘confused sheepdog mode’ where she was skirting the packs but not committing to the contest for the ball with conviction. Fair enough, as she’s young and still new to the game.

It is also a testament to the strength in depth that players like Martin and Lulu Pullar are missing out.

 

[north_lad]

Martin has surprised me a few times this year, got good attacking instincts/goal sense. But JB one of the best users/smartest players in our team as others have mentioned

 

[north_lad]

Essentially picture wright trying to contest a mark one on one that would be the expression of the oppo

Shut uuuuuuuuuup

 

[Friday Night Lights]

Shitting myself.

Been a long time since I’ve experienced this level of hope/expectation.

 

[CURVE]

Sarah Black's article on the best small forward in the game.

Roos find 'mojo' as star forward hits career-best numbers

Roos find 'mojo' as star forward hits career-best numbers​

When the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos get the ball out the back in space, Alice O'Loughlin says her eyes light up
By Sarah Black

Alice O'Loughlin celebrates a goal during the match between North Melbourne and Sydney at North Hobart Oval in week seven, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

WHEN North Melbourne gets the ball out the back in space, Alice O'Loughlin says her eyes light up.

The small forward is in her fifth AFLW season, and it's a career-best edition, kicking 14 goals from her 10 games so far.

With a finals series to come, it's already double last year's output of seven goals from 13 matches.

"I'm lucky, because due to our talent in the back half and our mids, it happens quite a bit. I just start licking my lips, because it's great to play in a team like this. I'm so lucky to be alongside so many talented players," O'Loughlin told AFL.com.au.

"Our job is quite easy when that happens, because I just get to run the length of the field, really, and watch someone run in and kick a goal.

"I'm just thinking, 'Please everything go smoothly', and more often than not it does. We love playing like that, fun, exciting footy."

Alice O'Loughlin helps North Melbourne secure its first AFLW minor premiership with an impressive four-goal showing

O'Loughlin's goal tally has rocketed due to her sheer consistency, going goalless in eight matches last year, but only four in 2024.

Like many young players, the 22-year-old's form has improved on the back of feeling more secure in her surroundings.

"It starts from two years back, when Sam Wright was our (line) coach. What am I doing when I am at my best?" O'Loughlin said.

"It's honing those things, and not letting the outside noise – whether that's the self-doubt, for example, which I've had my troubles with, because I always like to do my best – and when I'm making mistakes, I would normally just completely focus on that. It's always a work in process, I'm not perfect and won't be by the end of my career.

"So managing that, and literally just going out there and having fun, because that's when I'm playing my best.

"Marking has been one of my strengths, but I really wanted to grow that, because as a small forward, if you can have that in your game, you're doing well. I tried to work on that, get a bit bigger and stronger."

O'Loughlin spent years in the local park kicking the footy with older brothers Liam and Callum and dad Dan – crediting those hours with her skill development – and picking up the sport in earnest at 14 with the Kew Comets.

Around that, it was netball and basketball and rowing at school.

She's now playing in the most dangerous forward line in the country.

"I feel like this year, our mojo has all worked together, it's all clicked. I pinch myself sometimes, because I'm so lucky to be in a team with so many experienced stars that I can really just learn off," she said.

"It's helped me grow and develop as a player. But having the talls like Kate Shierlaw and Tahls (Randall) and Emma King, they're just absolute guns. Bel (Eddey), we got drafted together, so watching her grow and develop in all areas has been amazing. She's always killing it."

Tahlia Randall, Alice O'Loughlin and Kate Shierlaw during North Melbourne'S 2023 team photo day at Arden Street. Picture: AFL Photos

With its first two selections in the COVID-affected 2020 AFLW Draft, North Melbourne – already having midfielders to spare on its list – bucked convention and took not just one, but two small forwards in the top 22 picks – O'Loughlin and Eddey.

The pair were snapped up for their sharp kicking skills and footy smarts, and four years down the track, it has proven to be a canny decision.

"It's scary to think about being five seasons in, I am a veteran now. I guess each season, like when I got drafted at 18 coming out of school, it's a massive jump. You're still working out where you belong and all that jazz," O'Loughlin said.

"I've always been the type of person to take a while to adjust to my environment and feel comfortable in terms of finding my place. Then it was the confidence side of things, and each season building. I always felt I had the talent, and that I could make it, it's just about growing my game each year and making sure I'm doing my best."

 

[Pres]

"With its first two selections in the COVID-affected 2020 AFLW Draft, North Melbourne – already having midfielders to spare on its list – bucked convention and took not just one, but two small forwards in the top 22 picks – O'Loughlin and Eddey."

 

[shinboner magic]

Wow - Nailing picks in covid years

 

[Caracas]

Martin dropped instead of Shannon is ridiculous

As an Irish person, I am saddened by this, N. Niamh has got some real upside, particularly, in the skills department. Having said that, I was at the GC game in at Arden Street on Saturday. I was very close up to Niamh for a while. She really appeared fairly ineffectual when competing for the ball. So, I can understand why she might have got left out.

 

[Caracas]

Sarah Black's article on the best small forward in the game.

Roos find 'mojo' as star forward hits career-best numbers

Roos find 'mojo' as star forward hits career-best numbers​

When the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos get the ball out the back in space, Alice O'Loughlin says her eyes light up
By Sarah Black

Alice O'Loughlin celebrates a goal during the match between North Melbourne and Sydney at North Hobart Oval in week seven, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

WHEN North Melbourne gets the ball out the back in space, Alice O'Loughlin says her eyes light up.

The small forward is in her fifth AFLW season, and it's a career-best edition, kicking 14 goals from her 10 games so far.

With a finals series to come, it's already double last year's output of seven goals from 13 matches.

"I'm lucky, because due to our talent in the back half and our mids, it happens quite a bit. I just start licking my lips, because it's great to play in a team like this. I'm so lucky to be alongside so many talented players," O'Loughlin told AFL.com.au.

"Our job is quite easy when that happens, because I just get to run the length of the field, really, and watch someone run in and kick a goal.

"I'm just thinking, 'Please everything go smoothly', and more often than not it does. We love playing like that, fun, exciting footy."

Alice O'Loughlin helps North Melbourne secure its first AFLW minor premiership with an impressive four-goal showing

O'Loughlin's goal tally has rocketed due to her sheer consistency, going goalless in eight matches last year, but only four in 2024.

Like many young players, the 22-year-old's form has improved on the back of feeling more secure in her surroundings.

"It starts from two years back, when Sam Wright was our (line) coach. What am I doing when I am at my best?" O'Loughlin said.

"It's honing those things, and not letting the outside noise – whether that's the self-doubt, for example, which I've had my troubles with, because I always like to do my best – and when I'm making mistakes, I would normally just completely focus on that. It's always a work in process, I'm not perfect and won't be by the end of my career.

"So managing that, and literally just going out there and having fun, because that's when I'm playing my best.

"Marking has been one of my strengths, but I really wanted to grow that, because as a small forward, if you can have that in your game, you're doing well. I tried to work on that, get a bit bigger and stronger."

O'Loughlin spent years in the local park kicking the footy with older brothers Liam and Callum and dad Dan – crediting those hours with her skill development – and picking up the sport in earnest at 14 with the Kew Comets.

Around that, it was netball and basketball and rowing at school.

She's now playing in the most dangerous forward line in the country.

"I feel like this year, our mojo has all worked together, it's all clicked. I pinch myself sometimes, because I'm so lucky to be in a team with so many experienced stars that I can really just learn off," she said.

"It's helped me grow and develop as a player. But having the talls like Kate Shierlaw and Tahls (Randall) and Emma King, they're just absolute guns. Bel (Eddey), we got drafted together, so watching her grow and develop in all areas has been amazing. She's always killing it."

Tahlia Randall, Alice O'Loughlin and Kate Shierlaw during North Melbourne'S 2023 team photo day at Arden Street. Picture: AFL Photos

With its first two selections in the COVID-affected 2020 AFLW Draft, North Melbourne – already having midfielders to spare on its list – bucked convention and took not just one, but two small forwards in the top 22 picks – O'Loughlin and Eddey.

The pair were snapped up for their sharp kicking skills and footy smarts, and four years down the track, it has proven to be a canny decision.

"It's scary to think about being five seasons in, I am a veteran now. I guess each season, like when I got drafted at 18 coming out of school, it's a massive jump. You're still working out where you belong and all that jazz," O'Loughlin said.

"I've always been the type of person to take a while to adjust to my environment and feel comfortable in terms of finding my place. Then it was the confidence side of things, and each season building. I always felt I had the talent, and that I could make it, it's just about growing my game each year and making sure I'm doing my best."

Surely the “best small forward in the game” gets the AA nod?!

 

[CURVE]

Surely the “best small forward in the game” gets the AA nod?!

I think she should. The AA should be made up of two tall forwards in Moloney and Smith, 1 mid-sized forward in Gilroy and 1 small forward in O'Loughlin. The fifth spot can go to either a Midfielder/Forward like Roberts or Goldsworthy, or another tall or medium forward like a Gould, Shierlaw or Ponter. Personally, I'd choose Ponter.

 

[Sticksphat]

As an Irish person, I am saddened by this, N. Niamh has got some real upside, particularly, in the skills department. Having said that, I was at the GC game in at Arden Street on Saturday. I was very close up to Niamh for a while. She really appeared fairly ineffectual when competing for the ball. So, I can understand why she might have got left out.

Watching the broadcast I though she was hesitant at times when it was her turn to go at the ball, and got knocked off the ball a bit too easily.

I think on her progression so far she will be a good player for us, but high pressure, physical, finals football may find her out at this stage.

 

[CURVE]

Ebony Marinoff wins the AFLCA Player of the year award, ahead of Garner and Riddell.

Something to Crow about: Adelaide gun earns maiden coaches' award

FINAL LEADERBOARD​

1 Ebony Marinoff (ADEL) - 91 votes
2 Jasmine Garner (NMFC) - 79
3 Ashleigh Riddell (NMFC) - 77
4 Ally Anderson (BL) - 66
5 Eliza West (HAW) - 60
6 Monique Conti (RICH) - 58
7 Mim Strom (FRE) - 58
8 Charlie Rowbottom (GCFC) - 52
9 Aisling McCarthy (FRE) - 51
10 Georgia Nanscawen (ESS) - 50

Congrats to Garner and Riddell for their amazing seasons.

Now it's time to bury Marinoff and the Crows.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Mia king to lay a record amount of tackles tonight on marinoff

 

[CURVE]

That's a fair number of tackles, I think the AFLW record is in the low 20's.

EDIT: The record is 22 by Kiara Bowers.

 

[HongKongRoo]

As an Irish person, I am saddened by this, N. Niamh has got some real upside, particularly, in the skills department. Having said that, I was at the GC game in at Arden Street on Saturday. I was very close up to Niamh for a while. She really appeared fairly ineffectual when competing for the ball. So, I can understand why she might have got left out.

Martin is out because Gould nearly won the game for them last time we met so we have included and extra tall (Shannon) to support the backs. Wright and Ferguson are just too mid-sized to go with Gould. Craven will move up the ground and Jemma's ball use is exquisite. It's tough but I understand why they did it. To go against the crows without addressing the fact that wayward kicking was the only thing stopping them from beating us this year would have been foolish. If Martin stays in she has to displace Bruton, Bella, Wall, O'Loughlin or Gatt and she is marginally below them all on the pecking order. She still has a lot of upside and will become even better in years to come but right now this is the correct decision.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Birch should get the Gould matchup

Shannon does not have the strength to

But there should be 2 players on Gould at all times