North Melbourne have been knocking on the door of success since their inaugural AFLW season in 2019, but a grand final berth had ultimately eluded them. That is no longer the case following a thrilling preliminary final victory over Adelaide, and with the same inaugural captain in Emma Kearney and a host of other original players – Jasmine Garner, Ash Riddell, Jenna Bruton, Emma King, Tahlia Randall and Nicole Bresnehan – the foundations have been built, slowly but surely, for this moment.
Kearney used the word “relief” to describe how she felt at the conclusion of the gripping clash with three-time AFLW premiers Adelaide, but the relief of moving past five seasons of “almosts” runs deeper for this side. Kearney added “It’s finally here,” and for many who have watched the side develop that sentiment rings true.
