Jasmine Garner has been announced as captain of the new-look North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos AFLW leadership group for the 2025 season.

Garner will lead the six-player group, featuring a blend of established players and emerging leaders looking to guide the team into an exciting new chapter.

The 31-year-old is a seven-time All-Australian, twice named captain, and a five-time club best and fairest. She was also named best on ground in last year’s Grand Final.

Garner will take on the top leadership role after stepping in for former skipper Emma Kearney during the six games she missed last season due to injury.

Supporting Garner as vice-captain is fellow inaugural Roo Ash Riddell, with Nicole Bresnehan rejoining the group, while experienced defender Libby Birch will continue her leadership role following her first season at the club.

Bella Eddey and Jasmine Ferguson have been included in the group again, highlighting North Melbourne’s diversity of experience and youthful energy. 

North Melbourne general manager of women’s football Erin Lorenzini is excited for the future of the club under this leadership team. 

"Jasmine (Garner) is held in such high regard by her teammates, due to her actions on and off the field, living by our values every day,” Lorenzini said.

“She brings to the role a sense of calm, while remaining hard-working, competitive and fiercely determined to guide this team into our next chapter.

“Every leader is only as strong as the team around them, and with Ash as vice-captain, I can think of no better support to help set the standard.

"The inclusion of Libby, Jasmine (Ferguson), Bella, and Nicole provides a fantastic balance of experience and fresh perspectives. 

“This group embodies the values we want to uphold as a team, and we’re incredibly excited about the leaders we've assembled.

“The decision of Emma Kearney to step away from the leadership group was incredibly selfless and speaks to the trust she has in her teammates to take us forward.

“I want to thank Emma for the incredible contribution she made during her captaincy, I know she'll be a fantastic support for our new leaders.”

Garner said being announced captain is one of the proudest achievements of her career.

"I never thought I would captain a team one day. To be voted in by my teammates, it’s really special. When I think of my whole career, it’s definitely something I’m most proud of,” Garner said.

"Ash (Riddell) leads the way with her standards year in, year out. You can’t question what she does, we all look up to her. Alongside the other leaders, I’m really looking forward to working with them.

"Kearns has helped build my leadership along the way. I know she’s still going to be there to lean on, and I’m just excited that she doesn’t have to worry about captaincy, she can just go out there and play footy.”

The Kangaroos will tune up for the 2025 NAB AFLW season with a practice match against Essendon at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday, August 2.

They begin the 2025 AFLW season with what shapes as a testing trip to Geelong in Round 1 on Saturday, August 16.