AFLW Finals: North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner wins coaches’ award

The Kangaroos are talking tough ahead of a qualifying final blockbuster against Melbourne after a star received another gong.

North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner has won the AFLCA Player of the Year award for 2023. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner has claimed one of the AFLW’s most prestigious awards for the second year in a row as she prepares to lead the Roos into their first final against injury-hit Melbourne.

Garner was crowned the AFL Coaches Association champion player of the year on Thursday after a dominant home-and-away season, claiming a perfect 10 votes on five occasions, including the last two rounds, to finish with 81 ahead of Sydney’s Laura Gardiner (74) and Brisbane’s Ally Anderson (65).

It was the third time the 29-year-old received the AFLCA honour after she claimed the award in 2022 but was surprisingly snubbed by the umpires to miss the top 10 in the league best and fairest.

Jasmine Garner is the only AFLW player to win multiple AFLCA champion player awards and now has three after claiming the honour following a brilliant 2023 season. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker praised Garner’s “constant drive” after she averaged 30 disposals, seven clearances and a goal per game for the season.

“We feel so lucky to have Jas at our club and to have had a front-row seat to another outstanding season by her,” Crocker said.

“She is a special player, and to win this award for a third time is great recognition of her constant drive to get better and be the best she can be for the team.”

Garner’s teammate Erika O’Shea said the Roos were ready for a “dogfight” against the second-placed Demons, who will be looking to rebound from a costly final-round loss to Brisbane when the two sides meet in Sunday’s qualifying final at Ikon Park.

Melbourne will be without forward Casey Sherriff (broken arm) against the Kangaroos while also sweating on the fitness of Paxy Paxman. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

“We always know it’s going to be a dogfight against Melbourne, but we’re excited,” O’Shea said.

“If we play our game, hopefully it’ll go to our side. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Melbourne will be without important forward Casey Sherriff after she was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken arm.

The 25-year-old had played every game before suffering a fracture to the same arm she broke in 2022 season six against the Lions on Saturday.

The Demons will also sweat on the fitness of Paxy Paxman (hamstring tightness) after the star on-baller was a late withdrawal from the Brisbane clash but expect to regain duo Aimee Mackin (ankle) and Maddi Gay (hamstring).