Mikayla Plunkett claims Northern Knights NAB League premiership that father Phil missed out on

The Plunkett name is famous at Northern Knights, Phil was a member of the inaugural 1992 intake and now daughter Mikayla is a history-making premiership winner, joining uncle Jimmy.

Northern Knights father-daughter pair Phil Plunkett and Mikayla Plunkett.

Another chapter was added to the Plunkett family’s premiership tradition last month.

Mikayla Plunkett joined her uncle Jim as a TAC Cup/NAB League premiership winner when Northern Knights outclassed Calder Cannons on May 25.

And in doing so one-upped her dad, Phil.

Experienced mentor Phil missed out on under-18 success as a player, but guided Northern Football League club Heidelberg to a hat-trick of flags from 2007-09 and then Bundoora in 2013.

All three are Northern Knights graduates with Phil in the inaugural 1992 intake.

Northern Knights father-daughter pair Phil Plunkett and Mikayla Plunkett.

A key defender like dad, Phil couldn’t have been any prouder as he watched Mikayla, 17, running around Princes Park.

“To see my daughter run around and be part of the flag was a very proud moment as a dad,” he said.

“She’s worked really hard on her game and after missing out on getting on the list last year did a lot of hard work and managed to get on this year.”

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“It’s come full circle, my brother played, so now all three of us have now gone through.”

Jim Plunkett was a member of the Knights’ 1996 TAC Cup premiership before playing 47 AFL games for Western Bulldogs and Carlton.

Mikayla still has one year left in the Knights system and dreams of being drafted to the AFLW.

Mikayla Plunkett with the NAB League Girls premiership trophy.

Phil Plunkett celebrates Heidelberg’s 2007 premiership. Picture: Mark Frecker

The St Mary’s junior logged five disposals, one tackle and one rebound 50m and inside 50m in the grand final win.

“It’s exciting following in dad’s footsteps at the Knights,” she said.

“Hopefully I can come back (next year) and get in again as a top-ager.

“The AFLW is the next goal, I follow Brisbane but I like Melbourne’s women’s team, so I follow them pretty closely as well.”

Phil was assistant coach with the Northern Knights boys in 2017-18 before joining VAFA Division 1 club Old Paradians this season.

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