North Melbourne Kangaroos 56-16 Brisbane Lions
There was strong Irish representation among the victorious North Melbourne Kangaroos side that became the AFLW's first back-to-back champions with a 56-16 Grand Final win over the Brisbane Lions.
The Roos won their 27th straight game, completing an unbeaten season with Cork’s Erika O’Shea, Fermanagh's Blaithín Bogue and Meath star Vikki Wall all claiming silverware in front of a capacity crowd of 12,741 at IKON Park, while Offaly's Amy Gavin Mangan was included on the squad's emergency list.
There was disappointment however for Dublin’s Jennifer Dunne, Tipperary's Orla O'Dwyer and Neasa Dooley from Kildare as Brisbane’s challenge faded badly in the second quarter.
In the third straight Grand Final between the two sides, it was the Lions that began brightly with Jasmine Ferguson slotting over the opening goal before Eilish Sheerin responded immediately.
An intercept by former Cork footballer O'Shea, who signed a one-year contract extension on the eve of the final and was making her 50th AFLW appearance on the night, sparked a swift attack from half-back which was finished off by Bella Eddey for North Melbourne's second major.
The second quarter saw the Roos take control with Kate Shierlaw, Jean Bruton and another from Sheerin pushing them into a 22-point advantage at the interval.
All-Australian forward Bogue was well held on the night by Nat Grider, but North Melbourne simply had too many options.
Ash Riddell led the possession count with 39 touches, superstar captain Jas Garner kicked the insurance goal in the last quarter with midfielder Jenna Bruton kicking a game-high three goals.
In all, 39 Irish women were contracted to AFLW clubs this season with the 21-strong All-Australian Team comprising of five Irish; the aforementioned Dunne and Bogue, as well Dayna Finn (Carlton Blues), Aine McDonagh (Hawthorn) and Niamh McLaughlin (Gold Coast Suns).
