Having suffered Grand Final heartbreak against Brisbane in 2023, the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos made amends in style last year.
The Roos went unbeaten through the home-and-away season and finals, sweeping aside the Lions in the Grand Final to secure the club's first AFLW premiership.
As they gear up to begin their premiership defence against Geelong in Round 1, here are five things to watch out for this season.
1. The next generation emerges
Alice O'Loughlin was among the young Roos to take a stride forward last season. She lifted her output from seven goals in 2023 to 19, earning herself a first All-Australian selection. Ruby Tripodi transformed herself from a forward into a gut-busting inside midfielder. Winger Taylah Gatt added skills and game smarts to her already blistering pace. Fan favourite Tess Craven delivered on pre-season hype before making herself a Grand Final hero by kicking the opening goal then taking a series of courageous pack marks.
All are aged under 25, and watching them continue to put their stamp on the competition will be an exciting prospect for Kangaroos fans this season.
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BECOME A MEMBER2. Garner leads from the front
The great Emma Kearney's decision to step down as captain last month signalled a new era at Arden St. In Kearney's place, the players elected Jasmine Garner. The team's second ever skipper, Garner is a superstar at the top of her game. She was All Australian for the seventh time in 2024 and was imperious in the Grand Final, deservedly winning the Best on Ground medal. A more understated personality than Kearney, she can be expected to lead by example on the footy ground. Here's a taste of what that looks like:
3. All roads lead to goal
Gone are the days when the Roos' main path to goal was a route-one kick to tall forwards. While those tall threats remain in Tahlia Randall and Kate Shierlaw, the Roos' fleet of medium forwards are capable of slicing defences to ribbons. Alongside the dangerous O'Loughlin, Bella Eddey kicked 10 goals last season, while Irish import Vikki Wall pushed forward to kick 12, including two important goals in the Grand Final. The Kangaroos' wingers add another dimension, and if Erika O'Shea, Amy Smith and Craven can also contribute on the scoreboard, North Melbourne will continue to be very hard to stop.
4. What difference will the new Kangas make?
Trading in Libby Birch ahead of last season made an already stingy North Melbourne backline even meaner. The Roos will be hoping Eilish Sheerin's arrival from Richmond has a similar effect. A veteran at 31, Sheerin is a two-time All Australian who should add to the Roos' depth and experience down back. Pre-season signing Tessa Boyd also arrives with plenty of defensive credentials, while former Docker Ariana Hetherington provides options as a ruck or up forward. Alongside the new arrivals, second-year players Blaithin Bogue, Georgia Stubs and Ella Slocombe will hope to push for gametime this year, while draftee Claire Mahony has shown glimpses of her promise in limited pre-season minutes.
5. Can the 'Can't-lose Roos' go back to back?
A burning desire to avenge the 2023 Grand Final motivated the Kangaroos last season. As they become the hunted rather than the hunters, can they maintain their drive to stay in front of the pack? Pre-season injuries to key players including O'Loughlin, Sheerin and Emma King delivered an early setback. Ex-captain Kearney, who is 35 and missed half of last season with a serious hamstring injury, has been restricted by a calf injury. But coach Darren Crocker will be confident his side has depth, hunger, and the experience to overcome fresh challenges. And the Roos can be expected to evolve, because Crocker will know better than anyone that if you stay still in football, you won't stay ahead of the pack for long.