North Melbourne 9.2 (56) def Brisbane Lions 2.4 (16)
If grand finals are received in moments, then North Melbourne ahead Kate Shierlaw will eternally keep in mind the surprising reward that landed in her fingers simply three and a half minutes into the second time period.
It was then that Shierlaw was awarded a 100-metre penalty that allowed her the best of targets, giving the undefeated Kangaroos an 11-point lead and the spark they wanted to turn out to be the first-ever AFLW outfit to win back-to-back premierships.
They ran out 40-point winners – 9.2 (56) to 2.4 (16) – earlier than a sellout crowd of 12,741 individuals, capping off a historic unbeaten season, turning into the primary AFLW aspect to win back-to-back flags, and increasing their successful streak to 27 video games.
But till a second-quarter mind fade, the Lions had served up relentless stress.
They put immediate centre-bounce warmth on the Kangaroos prime ball winners Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell in a bid to cease North Melbourne’s drive.
Isabel Dawes stood Riddell, whereas Ally Anderson and Catherine Svarc took turns guarding Garner.
The tactic labored early with the Lions capable of push into their ahead 50 early and trigger a Kangaroos error when defender Jasmine Ferguson was pinged for holding the ball. The tackler, Charlotte Mullins, confidently slotted the aim from 30 metres out to nail the sport’s first main within the opening two minutes.
But the Kangaroos have been capable of rapidly regroup.
Emma Kearney began offering drive off half-back and laid a lot of bone-crunching tackles.
With the Lions focussing on Garner and Riddell, Eilish Sheerin broke free to rack up 10 first-term disposals and a aim.
The Kangaroos’ second got here from a fantastic passage of play. Tess Craven hammered a protracted ball ahead, permitting Emma King to pluck an enormous seize at half-forward. She then hit-up Bella Eddey who transformed a 20-metre shot at aim.
Unstoppable: Jasmine Garner and North Melbourne capped off the proper season in 2025.Credit: AFL Photos
The sport was up for grabs on the first break, with North a aim in entrance. But initially of the second time period, the Lions handed North Melbourne a straightforward and pointless aim.
This was the turning level.
Shierlaw marked at half-back because the Kangaroos have been transferring the ball out of defence, however she was shoved within the again by veteran Lion Shannon Campbell as she tried to get to her toes and was awarded a 50-metre penalty.
If that was not dangerous sufficient, Campbell then did not clear a path for Shierlaw and copped one other 50.
This led Shierlaw straight to the aim sq. for the best of kicks and North’s third main.
It was a deflating second for the Lions they usually conceded a fourth straight aim minutes later after a Garner cross discovered Jenna Bruton in entrance of the large sticks.
“You can’t assist that really feel that that huge penalty has flattened the Lions. It has,” AFLW professional commentator Kate McCarthy mentioned on Seven.
“[It] mainly give away a aim. Since that second, they haven’t fairly had the power that we’ve seen early within the first time period.
“In the determined moments, North had the higher composure.”
Heavy tackles have been laid from each side, however North have been capable of flick the ball again to a free teammate and clear the ball to achieve additional territory.
League medallist Riddell turned the busiest participant on the bottom, burrowing beneath packs, discovering house and enjoying extensive of Dawes.
Blaithin Bogue and Emma Kearney have fun their aspect’s thumping win.Credit: Getty Images
By the top of the sport she had set a file for grand last possessions, racking up 39 disposals.
It was this fixed surge that noticed the ball pushed deep into the ahead line simply earlier than half-time for North’s fifth straight aim.
This time the ball was flicked out to Sheerin, who snapped her second for the night time on her trusty left boot.
At half-time, the Lions led the inside-50 rely 24 to 13. But that was clearly deceptive as a result of the Kangaroos defence, led by Kearney and Libby Birch, dominated.
The Kangaroos turned the third time period into an arm wrestle.
Tahlia Randall put an early second-half nail within the Lions’ coffin by marking and goaling to present North a 28-point lead simply minutes into the third quarter.
But the Lions a minimum of confirmed that they had a pulse.
They managed their first aim because the opening two minutes of the sport when Ruby Svarc was capable of pounce on a unfastened ball out again and use her velocity to interrupt free and nail a serious.
It introduced Brisbane again to inside 22 factors. But they wanted a couple of aim.
Squaring the quarter a aim apiece meant North headed into the ultimate time period with a commanding 22-point lead.
They then confirmed why they have been the competitors’s finest aspect, kicking three targets to none within the final time period.
Sheerin and Garner performed nice help video games to Riddell with 28 possessions every, whereas opportunist Jenna Bruton completed the sport’s main goalkicker with three.
For Brisbane, Dawes had 31 possessions.
Speaking after the ultimate siren to Fox Footy, Kearney strongly hinted at enjoying on once more subsequent season.
“I’ve received a bit bit to weigh up, however I’m fairly assured I’ll signal on the dotted line at some stage.”
