Kangaroos make history in the books and on the field in flag defence

[ad_1] There is a well-known piece of commentary from the inaugural AFLW recreation again in 2017, the place Kelli Underwood introduced on the published: "There's the siren. Floor breakers, historical past makers."

On Saturday night time, to open the grand last between North Melbourne and Brisbane on the principle TV broadcaster, Underwood talked concerning the Kangaroos' "history-making streak", which is now 27 consecutive wins.

Ten seasons because the AFLW started, arguably no facet has damaged extra floor for the competitors than North Melbourne and Brisbane, no less than in recent times, given Adelaide have three premierships as of 2022.

All of that was on present for the Kangaroos as they dominated the Lions with a complete 40-point thrashing at Princes Park beneath lights.

The victory was an actual group effort, with the Greatest on Floor medal voters the envy of few.

Amongst a bunch of contenders, the Kangaroos' Eilish Sheerin got here out on high to assert the person honour, ending six votes away from teammate Ash Riddell.

<img alt="Eilish Sheerin of the Kangaroos reacts on stage after being awarded the best-on-ground medal in the AFLW grand final." class="Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq" sizes="100vw" src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/3aa2c23801efdfe1e964dc2ed2421b41?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=1675&cropW=2513&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575" loading="lazy" data-component="Image" data-lazy="true"/> Eilish Sheerin was a worthy recipient of the Greatest on Floor medal. ( AAP: James Ross )

In entrance of a sold-out crowd of 12,741 — a sea blue and white, and simply speckled with maroon — North Melbourne continued to revolutionise the competitors.

Not simply within the historical past books — they're now the primary AFLW facet to go back-to-back — however in how they play footy.

Kangaroos make AFLW historical past North Melbourne outclasses the Brisbane Lions by 40 factors within the AFLW grand last to seize a history-making second consecutive premiership.

As they closed out their second straight season undefeated, now not was the speak about 'inspiring the following technology' — it was about momentum, territory dominance, zone defence, stress and tips on how to cease the almighty Jasmine Garner.

Garner, who kicked the primary purpose in AFLW historical past again in 2017, completed with 28 touches and a purpose.

It is laborious to marry the picture of fresh-faced Garner in a Collingwood guernsey in her early 20s with the 31-year-old who lifted North Melbourne's second AFLW cup with coach Darren Crocker.

Her Kangaroos teammate Emma King additionally performed within the inaugural girls's recreation.

By midway by way of the ultimate quarter, the Kangaroos' laborious work for the 12 months had paid off with a robust lead they usually have been in a position to simply take pleasure in being out on the park.

Whereas some girls's sides nonetheless battle weekly criticism of low scores, fumble footy and dire win-loss ledgers, North Melbourne proceed to nearly say, "Yeah? Effectively, watch this", to the naysayers of the competitors.

Former captain Emma Kearney held down the Kangaroos' defence. ( Getty: Josh Chadwick/AFL Pictures )

In opposition to Brisbane, the Kangaroos performed their group defence, led by eight-time All Australian Emma Kearney and four-time premiership participant Libby Birch.

Newly topped league greatest and fairest Riddell, who broke her personal report for probably the most disposals in a recreation thrice this season, had 39 touches.

Jenna Bruton topped the goal-kickers checklist with three, whereas Sheerin had two.

What made the win extra spectacular is that Brisbane are not any straightforward beats. The Lions have been enjoying of their seventh grand last out of a attainable 9, with two premierships to indicate for it.

They got here into the grand last having banked 9 wins on the trot. But many who feared a blowout have been confirmed proper.

Jenna Bruton (second from left) was excellent on purpose for the Kangaroos. ( AAP: James Ross )

After 21-year-old Lion Charlotte Mullins kicked the opening purpose two minutes into the sport, Brisbane did not rating once more till seven minutes into the third quarter by way of Ruby Svarc.

The Lions had set the benchmark for a very long time within the AFLW's brief historical past, however have been no match ultimately for the Kangaroos in 2025.

Earlier within the week, Kearney urged rival golf equipment to "get to our stage” — not simply to problem for the flag in coming years however to additional raise the entire competitors.

"What we're doing at North Melbourne and Brisbane is setting the usual, and we'd like the opposite groups to return as much as that commonplace," Kearney mentioned to a press pack.

"I am pleased being on the high for now. We'll hold making an attempt to get higher. It is now as much as the opposite groups to work out how they'll get to our stage."

After the grand last exhibiting on Saturday night time, different sides are going to don't have any selection however to raise in the event that they ever wish to see a future cup of their cupboard, together with Brisbane.