Bring it on: AFLW champions ready to be the hunted

The Advertiser

2 days ago

With an AFLW premiership cup finally in their hands, North Melbourne aren't scared of being the hunted this season.
Instead, led by new skipper Jasmine Garner, the Kangaroos are embracing the pressure.
The reigning premiers kick off their season away to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium next Saturday afternoon, knowing the Cats will be the first of many teams desperate to knock them off their perch.
"We've spoken about it, and it's something we're really embracing," Garner told AAP.
"For so long we were thereabouts and we probably couldn't beat the big three, as they're called: Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
"For us to finally be able to get over that and win a premiership, I'd much rather be in this position than the other, so embracing being the hunted.
"Teams are going to get up and play well against us, so it's going to be good."
North went unbeaten last season and can now attempt to become the first AFLW team to go back-to-back.
"Obviously it's a hard thing to do," Garner said.
"But for us for the time being, it's just 'let's play finals'. We want to play finals footy and then go from there.
"We don't want to think too far ahead."
Garner expects the likes of Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne to be up there again while noting the likes of Hawthorn, Geelong and Sydney could close the gap to the league's best.
The 31-year-old will also enjoy the new-found responsibility of captaincy, having taken over from Emma Kearney over the off-season.
"Besides last year's premiership, this is something I'm probably most proud of," she said.
"If you were telling me (10 years ago) that I was going to captain a footy team, I probably wouldn't believe you."
Garner plans to bring her own style to the role - namely leading by actions rather than words.
"It's just being myself, like not changing for anyone. I think that's why the girls voted me in - I don't try to be someone I'm not," she said.
"That's what I loved about 'Kearns' too. She didn't try to be someone she wasn't. We knew what we were going to get with her and we all really respected that.
"So just embracing the captaincy. I know I'm not going to be perfect at it, but have the highs and lows. But looking forward to it."
The seven-time All-Australian, three-time AFLCA champion player, two-time AFLPA MVP and five-time North best and fairest winner is yet to break through for a league best and fairest.
But that's not on Garner's mind.
"To be honest, I'm not fussed about it at all. I'd much rather win another premiership," she said.
"From some of the individual awards that I've won, none of them even felt close to winning the premiership.
"So it's not really something that I take too much notice of."
With an AFLW premiership cup finally in their hands, North Melbourne aren't scared of being the hunted this season.
Instead, led by new skipper Jasmine Garner, the Kangaroos are embracing the pressure.
The reigning premiers kick off their season away to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium next Saturday afternoon, knowing the Cats will be the first of many teams desperate to knock them off their perch.
"We've spoken about it, and it's something we're really embracing," Garner told AAP.
"For so long we were thereabouts and we probably couldn't beat the big three, as they're called: Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
"For us to finally be able to get over that and win a premiership, I'd much rather be in this position than the other, so embracing being the hunted.
"Teams are going to get up and play well against us, so it's going to be good."
North went unbeaten last season and can now attempt to become the first AFLW team to go back-to-back.
"Obviously it's a hard thing to do," Garner said.
"But for us for the time being, it's just 'let's play finals'. We want to play finals footy and then go from there.
"We don't want to think too far ahead."
Garner expects the likes of Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne to be up there again while noting the likes of Hawthorn, Geelong and Sydney could close the gap to the league's best.
The 31-year-old will also enjoy the new-found responsibility of captaincy, having taken over from Emma Kearney over the off-season.
"Besides last year's premiership, this is something I'm probably most proud of," she said.
"If you were telling me (10 years ago) that I was going to captain a footy team, I probably wouldn't believe you."
Garner plans to bring her own style to the role - namely leading by actions rather than words.
"It's just being myself, like not changing for anyone. I think that's why the girls voted me in - I don't try to be someone I'm not," she said.
"That's what I loved about 'Kearns' too. She didn't try to be someone she wasn't. We knew what we were going to get with her and we all really respected that.
"So just embracing the captaincy. I know I'm not going to be perfect at it, but have the highs and lows. But looking forward to it."
The seven-time All-Australian, three-time AFLCA champion player, two-time AFLPA MVP and five-time North best and fairest winner is yet to break through for a league best and fairest.
But that's not on Garner's mind.
"To be honest, I'm not fussed about it at all. I'd much rather win another premiership," she said.
"From some of the individual awards that I've won, none of them even felt close to winning the premiership.
"So it's not really something that I take too much notice of."
With an AFLW premiership cup finally in their hands, North Melbourne aren't scared of being the hunted this season.
Instead, led by new skipper Jasmine Garner, the Kangaroos are embracing the pressure.
The reigning premiers kick off their season away to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium next Saturday afternoon, knowing the Cats will be the first of many teams desperate to knock them off their perch.
"We've spoken about it, and it's something we're really embracing," Garner told AAP.
"For so long we were thereabouts and we probably couldn't beat the big three, as they're called: Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
"For us to finally be able to get over that and win a premiership, I'd much rather be in this position than the other, so embracing being the hunted.
"Teams are going to get up and play well against us, so it's going to be good."
North went unbeaten last season and can now attempt to become the first AFLW team to go back-to-back.
"Obviously it's a hard thing to do," Garner said.
"But for us for the time being, it's just 'let's play finals'. We want to play finals footy and then go from there.
"We don't want to think too far ahead."
Garner expects the likes of Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne to be up there again while noting the likes of Hawthorn, Geelong and Sydney could close the gap to the league's best.
The 31-year-old will also enjoy the new-found responsibility of captaincy, having taken over from Emma Kearney over the off-season.
"Besides last year's premiership, this is something I'm probably most proud of," she said.
"If you were telling me (10 years ago) that I was going to captain a footy team, I probably wouldn't believe you."
Garner plans to bring her own style to the role - namely leading by actions rather than words.
"It's just being myself, like not changing for anyone. I think that's why the girls voted me in - I don't try to be someone I'm not," she said.
"That's what I loved about 'Kearns' too. She didn't try to be someone she wasn't. We knew what we were going to get with her and we all really respected that.
"So just embracing the captaincy. I know I'm not going to be perfect at it, but have the highs and lows. But looking forward to it."
The seven-time All-Australian, three-time AFLCA champion player, two-time AFLPA MVP and five-time North best and fairest winner is yet to break through for a league best and fairest.
But that's not on Garner's mind.
"To be honest, I'm not fussed about it at all. I'd much rather win another premiership," she said.
"From some of the individual awards that I've won, none of them even felt close to winning the premiership.
"So it's not really something that I take too much notice of."