The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have received a significant boost ahead of their preliminary final on Sunday, with star Jasmine Garner recommitting to the club until at least the end of 2027.
The five-time All-Australian and three-time club champion was contracted already for 2024 but moved quickly to sign a three-year extension.
Garner started her career at Collingwood, where she played 14 games across two seasons and kicked the first-ever goal in AFLW history before joining the Kangaroos ahead of the team’s inaugural season in 2019.
She has since made 59 appearances in the royal blue and white and become one of the best players in the competition, with 2023 arguably her most dominant individual campaign.
The smooth-moving midfielder has averaged almost 30 disposals, seven clearances, tackles and inside 50s, 540 metres gained and a goal per game this season.
She also claimed the AFL Coaches Association’s AFLW Champion Player of the Year award for a second year in a row and third time overall.
Garner described her decision to extend her time at Arden Street as an easy one.
"It was a no-brainer for me to sign on for as long as I could," she said.
"I just love coming here. It doesn’t feel like work to me.
"The people involved at the club – the players, the coaches, all the staff – and I guess the way they’ve embraced not only me but also my brother Kane.
"We both love it here and I’m really excited to extend for another few years."
North Melbourne head of women’s football Nathan Hrovat expressed the club’s excitement to retain Garner’s services for three further years.
"We are absolutely rapt to have a player and person of Jasmine’s calibre at our club for another three years," he said.
"She is a highly respected member of the playing group both on and off the field, with her great football nous and constant drive to get better and be the best she can be for the team.
"We look forward to what we can achieve as a team with Jasmine here helping drive the standards and watching her continue to build her incredible AFLW resume."
Garner is the sixth player to recommit to the club this month, joining fellow midfielder Mia King, defensive trio Jasmine Ferguson, Erika O’Shea and Eliza Shannon, and first-year Roo Ruby Tripodi.
