North Melbourne women’s team breaks club’s premiership drought with historic victory

It would be hard to find a happier person at the sound of the final siren of North Melbourne’s victory over Brisbane on Saturday night than Kangaroos president Sonia Hood.

He is someone who has seen the club through many ups and downs and joined the board in 2019 when the Kangaroos entered the AFLW.

“It’s our first trophy in 25 years. It means so much to the club. You can hear there (in the stands) what it means to them. It’s wonderful, it’s really wonderful,” said Hood at ABC.

“They may not have had a lot of success in the men’s program, but they haven’t lost their ability to cheer and, boy, have they had incredible success in the women’s program.”

The men’s team last won in 1999.

In front of a sell-out crowd of 12,122, the Kangaroos beat the Lions by 30 points in a rematch of last year’s decider.

This is the first AFLW flag won by an expansion team.

Although she was in front from the first goal kicked, Hood said she didn’t let herself believe they had both hands on the cup until the bench held up the one-minute sign .

The Kangaroos took control early with three goals in the first 16 minutes, two of which came from the boot of Alice O’Loughlin. From that point on, they never lost a two-goal lead.

But Hood knew, like most AFLW fans, that the Lions should never be counted out.

“I felt good at quarter-time. I felt good at half-time, but we were ahead on every change last year and they won. So Brisbane are an incredible team, there’s always a chance let them come back.”

Yet unlike last year, when the Lions kicked four goals in the final quarter and held the Roos scoreless, Hood’s Kangaroos held firm this time around.

And standing among the players’ friends and families just before they each received their premiership medals, she beamed.

“Absolutely over the moon, I couldn’t be happier. I’m so thrilled. I’m so proud of these girls and everything they’ve done and everything they’ve worked for. I’m so proud of this club,” she said.

This one meant a lot.

Even Emma Kearney – after telling Darren Crocker “you’re now a premiership coach” and thanking Brisbane for “consistently setting the benchmark” – couldn’t resist throwing a cheeky joke with a smirk in the victory speech from his captain: “Maybe the men can do it next. »

And it was not only a victory for the club, but also a good indication of the state of women’s football. They didn’t beat just anyone, but they greatly outperformed a competitive powerhouse. This was the Lions’ sixth grand final in eight seasons and third in a row.

Fans frustrated by venue for sold-out AFLW decider

Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich couldn’t deny he was impressed.

“I’m one of the coaches who’s been here since the inception of (the AFLW) and what I saw in that first half was the best football I’ve seen in the AFLW,” Starcevich said.

“We were on the receiving end, trying to keep our heads above water. They were great, the Kangas – their pressure, their quick decisions, their use of the ball was phenomenal.

“So it was very difficult to hang on.”

To make the evening even sweeter for Kangaroo fans, fan favorite and competition superstar Jasmine Garner took out the best on the field.

Garner received a huge cheer for the league’s best and fairest Monday night when she polled three votes for the first time in the fifth round.

It is generally accepted in AFLW circles that Garner, who is considered one of the best the competition has ever seen, is not getting the respect she deserves on the coveted night.

Now at least she has a premiership medal and a grand final on the field, which she says is a privileged outcome.

“A year ago today you lost one, and (then) the trip this year… I’m so proud of everyone,” Garner told Seven after the match.

“We had the belief and we got the job done.”