Sunday’s AFLW clash is set to be one for the ages. Brisbane have as much grand final experience as exists in the AFLW, however, have found victory in only one of the four deciders they’ve played in.
North Melbourne have been part of the league since 2018, and this is their first tilt at the flag, after bowing out in two qualifying finals and the preliminary final respectively.
Last time these sides met was in round four this year and it was the Lions that triumphed by just two points, narrowly keeping their undefeated streak against the Kangaroos alive.
The women from Arden Street are thriving on their underdog mentality as the first-ever expansion side to make a grand final, as seen in the preliminary final when they sent three-time premiers the Adelaide Crows packing by one point.
The Lions will be desperate to avenge their four-point grand final loss to the Melbourne Demons last year, but they’ll have to do it at Ikon Park in Victoria, the same venue where they lost a Grand Final to the Western Bulldogs in 2018.
This is the first time the Grand Final has been held in Victoria since then, thanks to the Kangaroos earning hosting rights.
Tahlia Randall of the Kangaroos will be praying extra hard for her side to get over the line. The ex-Lion was part of two of Brisbane’s previous Grand Final losses and sits equal-second for most goals in the competition this season, although she shares this mantle with Brisbane’s Dakota Davidson.
Randall’s teammate Jasmine Garner has been in the headlines all week, following another failure to pick up a league best-and-fairest despite being a top contender multiple years in a row.
The 29-year-old Garner took out Most Valuable Player award (as voted by her peers) and AFL Coaches’ Champion Player honour earlier this week but has a team-first ethos and her strong physical presence is key to North Melbourne holding the centre on Sunday.
With an average 29 disposals and seven marks in games this season, Garner will be Public Enemy No 1 in the midfield for the Lions. One player who will have her eyes firmly set on her will be young Lion Belle Dawes, who has emerged as a crucial player for Brisbane this season. Dawes is strong in the contest and quick through the corridor to gain clean clearances.
Kangaroos Emma Kearney and Ash Riddell will also be hot topics in the Lions camp this week. Kearney has been skipper since the inaugural North Melbourne side five seasons back, joining after winning a premiership with the Bulldogs alongside Kangaroos teammates Kim Rennie and Jenna Bruton.
This week Kearney continued her history-making reign with an eighth straight All-Australian selection. The 34-year-old former cricketer is not only a very accomplished and experienced player but a physically fierce defender who can easily intimidate less dominant players.
Ash Riddell is small and quick and has been vital to the success of the Kangaroos line-up. Finishing in a four-way tie for second in Monday night’s count at the W Awards, Riddell is a pocket-rocket, she averages 31 disposals and four marks this season, and her ability to read the contest will be a focus for the Lions to combat.
At the time of writing, Brisbane key forward Davidson has been cleared to play after scans suggested no serious injury to her left knee after she failed to return to play in the preliminary final late in the third quarter. Brisbane will sweat on Davidson’s fitness tests, hoping the team-leader is available for selection.
Having been nicknamed the “Vibe Queen” by coach Craig Starcevich, the 24-year-old is a boisterous presence for the Queenslanders, booting a career-best 21 goals this season. When she hits the scoreboard, golly do you hear about it. She’ll likely give Garner a run for her efforts on the scoreboard, provided all is well with her left knee.
Sophie Conway plays an important connection role from the centre to the forward 50. Having clocked 45 tackles and 12 goals this season, her versatility is paramount and can neutralise Kangaroos Tahlia Randall and Mia King.
Ultimately, the Lions will need to overcome the mental barrier of falling at the final hurdle in three previous seasons and harness their hunger for redemption after last year’s loss.
North must do the contrary to get across the line, blocking out the noise and utilising their three premiership players to help them keep a cool head entering their first ever Grand Final.
