Posted: 2024-11-30 08:00:26

North Melbourne has broken through for its maiden AFLW premiership and completed an undefeated season with a 30-point win over the Brisbane Lions in the historic night grand final.

Gun midfielder Jasmine Garner and captain Emma Kearney starred in the Kangaroos' 5.9 (39) to 1.3 (9) victory in front of 12,122 fans at Princes Park on Saturday night, turning the tables on the Lions after last year's heartbreaking defeat in the season decider.

Garner tallied 35 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 13 tackles and 10 clearances in a huge performance that saw her named player of the match, despite close attention from Jade Ellenger and Bre Koenen.

It was North's 12th consecutive win, with the only blemish in their near-perfect campaign under coach Darren Crocker a draw with Geelong in round two.

Kangaroos players celebrate with a group hug after a goal

The Kangaroos dominated the Lions to claim their first AFLW premiership. (Getty Images: Michael Willson)

The Kangaroos are the first expansion team to win a premiership, in the competition's ninth season, and the only team in AFLW history to go through an entire campaign without a loss.

Kearney (23 disposals) was influential across half-back in her second game back from a hamstring injury, while Garner and Ash Riddell (30) were brilliant in the midfield.

Alice O'Loughlin finished with three goals and Irish forward Vikki Wall two.

North kicked the first three goals of the game to set up their triumph in a dominant opening quarter, building an early 17-point buffer with majors to Tess Craven and O'Loughlin (two).

Ellie Hampson benefited from a down field free kick to slot the Lions' first, but the Kangaroos led 4.1 to 1.2 at the main break, with Kearney a force throughout the first half.

A rushed behind to Brisbane was the only score of a hard-fought third term, before a Wall major extended North's advantage early in the final quarter.

O'Loughlin's third goal sealed the result and sent North Melbourne fans into party mode, celebrating their club's first premiership in either the women's or men's competitions since their 1999 AFL triumph.

Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.

AFLW GF final score

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North Melbourne: 6.3 39

Brisbane Lions: 1.3 9

That's it from the blog tonight!

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A fitting end to an incredible AFLW season for North Melbourne. I'm not sure if we'll ever see another undefeated campaign for a side again, women's or men's, so this is an accomplishment to cherish and applaud.

The Kangaroos are champions, the Lions are left to lick their wounds and the countdown begins again for season 2025. Thank you so much for your company tonight, and keep an eye out on the ABC Sport website for more wash up and analysis from the grand final. Until next time, goodnight!

North Melbourne players celebrate with the cup
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North Melbourne lifts the cup with help from a special guest

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Imogen Mulgrew is a familiar face around North Melbourne, and an inspirational figure to boot. Having completed her cancer treatment earlier this year 11-year-old Imogen is loving every moment, but none moreso than this.

Between Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney stands Imogen, lifting the AFLW premiership cup. It doesn't get much better.

'We are one club': Crocker celebrates a North Melbourne breakthrough

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Darren Crocker
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The coach is finally ready to crack a smile and enjoy his success, one that he says will be shared throughout the whole club.

"To our club, just so proud of our club. A lot of people talk about one club but we actually live it.

"It comes from the top down. Sonia Hood ourpresident, Jennifer Watt our CEO, Alastair Clarkson, coach of the men's, all the way through the board, the executive and the whole club.

"We are one club and we absolutely live it. So thank you to everyone at the footy club."

Emma Kearney, the skipper is up

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Emma Kearney
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The last North Melbourne player to receive her premiership medal is captain Emma Kearney, who overcame a hamstring injury in time for last week's prelim and backed it up with a fantastic showing in the big one tonight.

"I want to thank the Brisbane Lions, it's a remarkable record you have. Craig, Bre, the operation you have is admirable, probably the reason why we had to take the next step in our system and get at it from that way. So thank you so much for leading the way in women's football.

"I want to thank the football club. All of the staff involved, not just our coaches but our support staff, for getting us fit — rockhard fit, hey Crock?

"Just want to a special mention to Darren Crocker, you are a premiership player and you are now a premiership coach.

"Lastly, to our girls over there, I bloody love you. We bloody did it!"

Jasmine Garner is named best on ground

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A decision that will surprise nobody. Perhaps the greatest performance of a great career, Garner saved her best for the biggest stage.

"I want to thank the Brisbane girls. You guys have been the standard for so long and we loved coming up against you. It was always a challenge. So thank you and congratulations on that year.

"Thank you to the AFL for putting on a great night, first night grand final, we loved it.

"And to our girls, the club, everyone, we did it. Let's get our trophy, come on!"

Bre Koenen gracious in defeat

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Bre Koenen
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The Lions captain typically wonderful in her speech as the post-match presentations begin.

"I just want to say you guys were awesome tonight, honestly, you are amazing. You came out so hard, you have been the best team all year and you deserve this so well done and congratulations.

"To our girls, I am so proud of you guys. We fought all day, just to be here again after last year, this group is amazing, I love you all and I wouldn't want to be with anyone else."

North Melbourne's magic moment

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A stellar night for Jasmine Garner

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Jas Garner handballs
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Her 35 disposals tonight is the most ever recorded in an AFLW grand final, and puts her among the favourites for the soon-to-be-awarded medal.

Emma Kearney was tremendous as well tonight, leading from the front as ever. Alice O'Loughlin and Vikki Wall kicked critical goals, Sarah Wright was terrific as a last line of defence and Tess Craven had some telling interventions from the wing.

A total team performance, led by the North Melbourne superstars.

FT: North Melbourne has won its first AFLW premiership!

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North players celebrate
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They can't be beaten. They haven't been beaten all year. And now they've won the one that matters most. The Kangaroos are AFLW premiers for the first time thanks to a comprehensive grand final victory, putting a cap on the most dominant season the league has ever seen.

Twelve months after heartbreak on this same stage the Roos have risen again bigger, stronger and better across every line and completely deserving of their maiden crown. This team has pushed the women's game forward with the way they play football, but it means little without a flag - the flag they now have.

For Darren Crocker, Emma Kearney, Jas Garner and everyone involved with this team this is a moment to savour, a reward for years of hard work and excellence. North Melbourne, AFLW premier at last.

Into the final minutes now

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The Lions have not kicked a goal since late in the first quarter, and you can bet these Roos will be keen to keep it that way even as the clock runs down on this grand final.

The celebrations haven't started yet but they can't be far away. This is a significant night for the North Melbourne Football Club and its groundbreaking AFLW team.

Alice O'Loughlin has three! North Melbourne will be premiers!

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A dangerous tackle by Nat Grider hands O'Loughlin a shot at her third goal from point blank range, and she happily obliges.

The margin feels representative of the game now, and the Kangaroos are marching towards their first AFLW premiership.

Ten minutes to play

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The Lions can't get the footy past halfway. North Melbourne's defensive set up has been incredible tonight as it has been all season.

The Roos are one goal away from party time.

Vikki Wall may have just iced the grand final for North!

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Is that the premiership for the Roos? A turnover in the middle of the ground sent North numbers flying forward and Bruton made the right decision in the end with her kick inside 50.

Wall marked strongly under pressure, soaked up the moment and banged home her second from 35 out. That might just about be the ball game!

The last quarter is underway

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OK, now it's do or die for the Lions. Make your move now or watch the blue and white confetti fall.

The final term of the 2024 season is underway.

3QT: North lead the Lions by 16 points at the last change

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The AFLW grand final under lights
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Just a rushed behind to Brisbane in that quarter, and yet it was completely engrossing from start to finish. Deadlock suits the Kangaroos, who have a lead of nearly three goals which doesn't tell the full story of their dominance.

The Lions spent that entire quarter at breaking point, without ever fully snapping. They're still in it, and will have memories of their fast finish last year to overrun North and win the flag. They'll need every bit of that and more this year, but this is one team you can't write off.

Five minutes to play in the third quarter

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It's a stalemate at the moment, being fought between the arcs with a tremendous ferocity and physicality.

Next goal is huge. If the Lions get it the game is well and truly on. If North get it, I think it's pretty close to curtains.

The Roos can't find a killer blow

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North Melbourne has the ball locked in its forward 50 but there is no way through the desperation of the Lions' defence in this third quarter. They are fighting for their lives back there, but how long can they hold on?

Eight minutes to play in the third, the margin is 16 points.

The third quarter is underway

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A bit of feeling in the Brisbane huddle in the moments before the bounce. Not quite now or never yet, but the Lions need to issue a response in this third quarter.

Ball is in the air and we're at it again.

The leading ball winners are Lions

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Ally Anderson and Orla O'Dwyer lead the way in the disposal count, but it has been a far more even team effort from North Melbourne across the board.

Dakota Davidson, who broke last year's grand final open for the Lions, is yet to have a touch. The scope for Brisbane improvement is clear, but not easy against a red hot Kangaroos side.

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