AFLW Grand Final: Mia King not picked after being cleared to play for Kangaroos

North Melbourne has left star midfielder Mia King out of its unchanged grand final side despite her recovery from a knee injury, as experts back the Roos to finish a perfect season.

North Melbourne star Mia King will be this year’s heartbreak story should the Roos finish its invincible run to another flag, having been left out of the unchanged side.

The star midfielder suffered a knee injury in round 9 and has spent the past six weeks on the sidelines, but returned to full training in the week leading up to the season decider against Brisbane.

But coach Darren Crocker will take in an unchanged outfit, backing in the side that came from behind to beat Melbourne in the preliminary final.

King collected 19 touches and six clearances in last year’s grand final victory over the Lions, and has become a consistent force on the inside of the contest.

Before the injury-affected clash against Richmond, King had averaged 25.8 touches – 12 of those contested – and 7.8 tackles in her previous five games for the undefeated Roos.

King fully recovered from the PCL injury and has been named as one of the three North Melbourne emergencies.

Teammate Emma Kearney said earlier in the week that King “was available” and had put her hand up for selection, declaring the midfielder fully fit for the clash.

“I’m not privy to what sort of loads she’s doing, but I can only speak for what I’ve seen on the track,” she said on Tuesday.

“She’s been bringing a lot of energy, a lot of spark. She’s also one of those players that you want in finals, you want in the big games, because she’s such a contested beast.

“She had one of her best games of the season against Brisbane last year.

“There’s going to be a heartbreak … where someone misses out.

“Unfortunately that will have to be someone from our side.

“But what we’ve been able to show is the great depth that we’ve had in our squad.”

Reigning league best-and-fairest winner Ash Riddell has also brushed off any injury concerns, named in the side and set to play.

Brisbane goes into the clash unchanged after a strong preliminary final victory over Carlton, setting up a third-straight grand final between North Melbourne and the Lions.

The Lions have a clean bill of health and a full squad available for selection, but have opted to back in the side that beat the Blues by 35 points.

North Melbourne knocked off Brisbane earlier in the season in round 5, claiming victory by 29 points.

Originally published as AFLW Grand Final: Mia King not picked after being cleared to play for Kangaroos