AFLW North Melbourne Football Club AFLW - Season 2024

[The Nostradamus]

When you finish the season undefeated at a minimum you should have the most players in the AA squad.

AA SQUAD: SIX Hawks named, Dee misses, Roo's streak over

Jasmine Garner
Alice O’Loughlin
Ashleigh Riddell
Kate Shierlaw
Sarah Wright

Congrats to our five girls for making the squad.

I thought Birch, O'Shea, Mia King and Eddey were a little unlucky.

birch should have 100% made it

the others you mentioned missing I think are line ball

The world is just about cooked isn't it, when several people have seen some different things to you and have chosen her for this honour.

Do you think you should volunteer to be the sole All Australian Selector next year? Men's and Women's competitions?

There would be no "incorrect" nominations then would there?

that would appear to be the solution

 

[Horace]

birch should have 100% made it

the others you mentioned missing I think are line ball

that would appear to be the solution

On a serious note though, the fact that the selectors (rightly or wrongly) have found reasons to nominate 6 Hawthorn players, tells me that we should not underestimate them in anyway, if they make it to the Preliminary Final.

If we do play them it will be the first time we have played them and we cannot afford to leave it to chance in preparing to play them. While the girls are rightly focussed on going one better this year, the old cliche, one game at a time remains forever true.

 

[The Nostradamus]

On a serious note though, the fact that the selectors (rightly or wrongly) have found reasons to nominate 6 Hawthorn players, tells me that we should not underestimate them in anyway, if they make it to the Preliminary Final.

If we do play them it will be the first time we have played them and we cannot afford to leave it to chance in preparing to play them. While the girls are rightly focussed on going one better this year, the old cliche, one game at a time remains forever true.

i'd want the entire womens list live at the ground at their semi final next week scouting them to your point that we haven't played them yet

 

[Liam Boy]

On a serious note though, the fact that the selectors (rightly or wrongly) have found reasons to nominate 6 Hawthorn players, tells me that we should not underestimate them in anyway, if they make it to the Preliminary Final.

If we do play them it will be the first time we have played them and we cannot afford to leave it to chance in preparing to play them. While the girls are rightly focussed on going one better this year, the old cliche, one game at a time remains forever true.

It's cool how we've already played Port Adelaide 3 times and Sydney twice, yet the AFLW hasn't yet been able to schedule us against a club from our home city that we've had a historic rivalry with, who poached a couple of our more prominent players. Just protecting Hawthorn from a strong team.

 

[Luke72]

That’s my point - it’s good for the players to go, and I’d like the broadcasters not to carry on about it.

If it creates more interest and draws more people to the games I can see why they might. They are similarly cringey when an Hollywood type goes to a game.

 

[andana]

Finally – you’ll have noticed I haven’t mentioned AFLW. We’re still working through what will happen once the current arrangement with Events Tasmania comes to an end at the end of 2025. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at IKON Park the weekend after next for the AFLW Preliminary Final.

 

[giantroo]

 

[RoyalBlue]

Had no idea Wrighty BFNAAK!

 

[The Nostradamus]

who is out of contract this year?

Would be delisting burke and savriryan and then wouldn’t surprise me if we win a flag and Shierlaw retires on a high

 

[CURVE]

I'm not 100% certain about this, keeping track of our women's team's contracts is a little difficult than the men's, but I believe there could be as many as 13 players who are contracted until the end of the 2024.

Nicole Bresnehan
Lucy Burke
Sophie Kavanagh (replacement player)
Emma King
Niamh Martin
Liz McGrath
Lulu Pullar
Zoe Savarirayan
Kate Shierlaw
Amy Smith
Ruby Tripodi
Vikki Wall
Sarah Wright

I think both Burke and McGrath have been emergencies at least a dozen times over the last two years and only Burke got a game.
I think with Shannon and Pullar more capable defensive players, Burke is a likely candidate for delisting.
McGrath is back up for King and Rennie and may get a reprieve, but she may wish to try her luck elsewhere.
Kavanagh was an emergency once or twice, so perhaps Crocks and the coaches have seen something in her that may warrant a promotion to the main list.
I don't remember seeing Savarirayan listed as emergency at all this season, so perhaps she has fallen down the pecking order and will be another for delisting.
You would hope that after her best season ever and a chance to make the All-Australian team that Shierlaw will sign on for at least another year.
I would expect the other players Australian players to re-sign, and I would hope that the Wall and Martin return, but with the AFLW season starting earlier in 2025, the Irish players may find it conflicts with the Gaelic Footy season and decide not to return.

 

[The Nostradamus]

^tripodi and wright just signed new deals

 

[CURVE]

Cool. Congrats to Erika, Ruby and Sarah.

 

[muttley45]

I'm not 100% certain about this, keeping track of our women's team's contracts is a little difficult than the men's, but I believe there could be as many as 13 players who are contracted until the end of the 2024.

Nicole Bresnehan
Lucy Burke
Sophie Kavanagh (replacement player)
Emma King
Niamh Martin
Liz McGrath
Lulu Pullar
Zoe Savarirayan
Kate Shierlaw
Amy Smith
Ruby Tripodi
Vikki Wall
Sarah Wright

I think both Burke and McGrath have been emergencies at least a dozen times over the last two years and only Burke got a game.
I think with Shannon and Pullar more capable defensive players, Burke is a likely candidate for delisting.
McGrath is back up for King and Rennie and may get a reprieve, but she may wish to try her luck elsewhere.
Kavanagh was an emergency once or twice, so perhaps Crocks and the coaches have seen something in her that may warrant a promotion to the main list.
I don't remember seeing Savarirayan listed as emergency at all this season, so perhaps she has fallen down the pecking order and will be another for delisting.
You would hope that after her best season ever and a chance to make the All-Australian team that Shierlaw will sign on for at least another year.
I would expect the other players Australian players to re-sign, and I would hope that the Wall and Martin return, but with the AFLW season starting earlier in 2025, the Irish players may find it conflicts with the Gaelic Footy season and decide not to return.

Any idea about Blaithin Bogue's contract status ? she has been named as an emergency multiple times over the last month or so

 

[The Nostradamus]

Any idea about Blaithin Bogue's contract status ? she has been named as an emergency multiple times over the last month or so

signed a 2 year deal to begin her career with us so shes locked in for 2025

 

[CURVE]

According to the information I have, the players are contracted until:

2024 - Bresnehan, Burke, Kavanagh, E. King, Martin, McGrath, Pullar, Savarirayan, Shierlaw, Smith & Wall
2025 - Birch, Bogue, Eddey, Ferguson, Gatt, Kearney, O'Loughlin, Shannon, Slocombe & Stubs
2026 - Bruton, M. King, O'Shea, Randall, Rennie, Tripodi & Wright
2027 - Craven, Garner & Riddell.

 

[Gumble Frankieton]

Is the Tassie AFLW team still a couple of years away?

 

[shinboner magic]

Isn’t wall going back to Ireland to play Gaelic or rugby ?

 

[CURVE]

Is the Tassie AFLW team still a couple of years away?

I thought the Tassie AFLW team was starting a year before the men’s team. I don’t know if that has been confirmed.

 

[giantroo]

 

[The Nostradamus]

Missing Burke who is out of contract

And I’d expect to delist her again this time for good

 

[CURVE]

Interview 'Am I good enough to be here?': The hard-earned rise of Ruby Tripodi

Interview

'Am I good enough to be here?': The hard-earned rise of Ruby Tripodi​

How Tripodi transformed herself from a pinch-hitting forward into a hard-bodied inside midfielder
By Matt Price - NMFC Media

Picture: Maddie Green

Sit in the stands during North Melbourne's AFLW games and you're a good chance of having your ears scorched by a man bellowing encouragement at Ruby Tripodi.

That's Joe Tripodi, father of the 23-year-old midfielder, who has become one of the Kangaroos' breakout stars in just her second season.

"When we watch the games back (on TV), I hear him," Ruby tells NMFC Media of Joe. "He's great but yeah, mum won't sit with him. They tend to watch it separately."

A fruiterer with his own wholesale business, Joe often drops off supplies for the players after a big win. His pineapple, says Ruby, is the best there is.

But if Joe remains Ruby's No.1 supporter, he's facing competition. As the Roos have earned a third consecutive preliminary final, Tripodi has won herself a growing army of fans, while remoulding herself from a pinch-hitting forward into a hard-bodied inside midfielder.

With her growing legion of fans after a game this season. Picture: AFL Photos

Her stats sheet shows how she has become quietly essential. She ranks 10th in the league for tackles, 16th for stoppage clearances, 31st for clearances.

Joe can take at least partial credit for Ruby's love of football, though she came to the game late, switching from basketball aged 17. A former reserves player with Richmond, he'd roll footies to Ruby and her two older brothers when they were growing up.

Drafted by the Roos after winning two VFLW best and fairests at Williamstown, where her family still lives, Tripodi played nine of the first 10 games in her debut season.

But when last November arrived and coach Darren Crocker looked to stack the team with finals-ready bodies, Tripodi found herself on the outer.

She admits it triggered some self doubt.

"I did reflect on it," she says. "If you had told me I was going to play that many games in my first year, I would have been so excited and I probably wouldn't have believed it.

"So in that sense I was so fortunate, and you've also got to look at the bigger picture and put the team first, because it takes a whole-squad mentality. But if you ask anyone, everyone wants to be playing.

"There was even a bit of imposter syndrome. Coming into football late and with Covid in the middle of all that, you're trying to build confidence in a new sport, and there is that element of, 'Am I meant to be here, or am I good enough to be here?'. And I really hadn't played a lot of footy compared to some other girls."

Tripodi (r) on the sidelines after last year's preliminary final, with teammates Gatt, Lulu Pullar and Kate Shierlaw (l-r). Picture: AFL Photos

Not that the knockback was Tripodi's first rodeo. Her selection at No.23 overall in the 2023 supplementary draft came after she was overlooked in four consecutive drafts, dating back to her first VFLW year in 2019.

So in the nine months between last year's Grand Final - which Tripodi watched from the grandstand at Ikon Park - and September's season opener, she set about delivering a huge pre-season, hitting the track and gym in countless extra sessions.

Asked to nominate their pre-season MVP ahead of Week 1, nearly half of North Melbourne's players named 'Tuba'*.

It's resulted in a transformative year.

In locking down her spot as a coalface inside mid, Tripodi has released veteran Ash Riddell to run more freely, helping the Kangaroos develop a faster and more flowing style of football.

"That running base has helped a lot," Tripodi says. "It's given me the opportunity to play in midfield and the confidence to know I can run out games.

"It started with becoming consistent in training, which was a big goal of mine. You might not always be feeling your best, but you get it done."

Tripodi's stats rank her among the competition's best inside midfielders this season. Picture: AFL Photos

Nearly all those extra pre-season sessions were with winger Taylah Gatt.

So tight are the pair at the club that when Gatt missed a trip to Tasmania when ill in Week 5, teammates jokingly worried how Tripodi would cope.

"She's such a driven, motivated, hard-working person, and she's a lot fitter than I am," Tripodi says of Gatt, who she met in her first week at Arden St in 2023.

"I feel so lucky to have such a good friendship with her. We really pushed each other and kept each other so accountable during that off-season."

Portside Williamstown, in Melbourne's west, remains central in multiple ways to Tripodi.

On Thursday afternoons for three years before she joined North Melbourne, Seagulls legends and premiership players Kim Kershaw and Lindsay Cahill coached her one-on-one. They tuned her skills and taught her how to adapt the athletic traits she brought across from basketball.

"Those guys are the best people," Tripodi says.

"To have that period of mentoring was huge for me. They're both more than mentors now. There's such a strong friendship there with both of them, and I'm lucky to have their support, too."

Do they come to her games?

"Oh yeah, they come. They've got the badges. They're all over it."

'We pushed each other': with Taylah Gatt. Picture: AFL Photos

When she's not at Arden St, Tripodi fills much of her time studying. She's in her final year of a nutrition science degree at Monash University.

On weekends outside matchdays, you're most likely to find her at home, surrounded by her large extended family. Joe's side of the family hails from Varapodio in Italy's deep south, which usually guarantees a mountain of pasta at their dinners, as well as zippoli, a savoury fried doughnut Tripodi says is "amazing".

"I've always been so fortunate to have that really big sense of family and connection," she says.

"And not only family but such good support through my friends, and at the club from the coaches through to the senior players, and everyone. It's unreal to have. It's inspiring. It drives you on."

*For the record, not even Tripodi knows her nickname's full origin story. She knows it was coined by former Williamstown teammate (and former Kangaroo) Sophia 'Smack' McCarthy. Tripodi used to get 'Ruba', so her best guess is that 'Tuba' was Smack mashing together 'Ruba' with her surname.

 

[shintemaster]

On a serious note though, the fact that the selectors (rightly or wrongly) have found reasons to nominate 6 Hawthorn players, tells me that we should not underestimate them in anyway, if they make it to the Preliminary Final.

It tells me they have no ****ing idea.

 

[Caracas]

Had no idea Wrighty BFNAAK!

Watching Sarah last weekend, she strikes me as having the absolute perfect physique for a footy player. Strong and agile, she covers the ground very well. A lot of her work goes unseen. She spoiled a ball right in front of me in the third quarter. It was was a great example of determination and strength. Like every player she can get exposed in certain circumstances. However, the arrival of Birch has addressed that. She is a very unselfish player, who is prepared to sacrifice herself if she thinks it will help the team overall. In hindsight, her late efforts in the GF against Dakota were a case in point. She could have said “not my player” and stayed on her direct opposition. Instead, she was prepared to risk making herself look silly in a vain, late effort to thwart Dakota.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Watching Sarah last weekend, she strikes me as having the absolute perfect physique for a footy player. Strong and agile, she covers the ground very well. A lot of her work goes unseen. She spoiled a ball right in front of me in the third quarter. It was was a great example of determination and strength. Like every player she can get exposed in certain circumstances. However, the arrival of Birch has addressed that. She is a very unselfish player, who is prepared to sacrifice herself if she thinks it will help the team overall. In hindsight, her late efforts in the GF against Dakota were a case in point. She could have said “not my player” and stayed on her direct opposition. Instead, she was prepared to risk making herself look silly in a vain, late effort to thwart Dakota.

be nice if she had more game awareness to put a block on for teammates instead of watching the oppo go past her and tackle the ball carrier

her one on one marking/spoiling is still below average

she goes well when coming third up

 

[Caracas]

be nice if she had more game awareness to put a block on for teammates instead of watching the oppo go past her and tackle the ball carrier

her one on one marking/spoiling is still below average

she goes well when coming third up

I think she strongest when she’s leading at the ball. She’s very powerful in that regard. Where she struggles is when she’s coming from behind the opponent.

I agree with you about the value of putting blocks on. However, she’s in line with 95% of the competition iin that regard. Actually, it’s an area that a team could really exploit going forward. Any team that really masters that component will be in a very advantageous position.