’We know what it takes’: The four Roos who have tasted premiership success against Brisbane

The Kangaroos know taking down an AFLW powerhouse on the last day of the season is not an impossible task – four of them have done it before.

Brisbane pulled away when it mattered in last year’s decider, but North Melbourne is some distance from treating the Lions as invincible on the AFLW’s biggest stage.

Not when a quartet of Roos preparing for Saturday night’s grand final have already tasted premiership success against the Lions – wearing the tricolours of the Western Bulldogs in 2018.

Kangaroos skipper Emma Kearney, Libby Birch, Jenna Bruton and Kim Rennie were all instrumental in holding off the Lions in a thrilling six-point win that sent the Bulldogs to the premiership dais in the AFLW’s second season – and dealt their opponents a heartbreaking second consecutive grand final defeat.

For Birch, the inaugural night grand final presents a chance for a record three flags at three separate clubs after starring for Melbourne in the 2022 season 7 triumph over the Lions.

The Lions themselves only have four players in their grand final side who played in that game: captain Bre Koenen, Ally Anderson, Sophie Conway and Shannon Campbell.

North Melbourne AFLW players Kim Rennie, Emma Kearney, Jenna Bruton and Libby Birch all tasted premiership success for the Western Bulldogs against Brisbane in 2018. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Kearney, who kicked the decisive goal from a set shot with five minutes left, said torrential rain in the hours before and the early stages of the clash at Ikon Park had been the most memorable aspect of the game for her.

Missy Higgins’ pre-game set was completely washed out in a fate the AFL will be hoping does not befall Lime Cordiale after Marvel Stadium and its roof were ruled out of hosting the game months in advance.

“We caught the bus from Whitten Oval to Ikon Park as a team, and it was absolutely coming down,” Kearney recalled.

“There were people with ponchos and umbrellas queued up waiting to get into the ground.

“The warm-up was when it was at its worst – it was coming down and we were absolutely drenched.

Emma Kearney (front) and Libby Birch (back right) were heavily involved in the wet weather clash that was played mostly between the arcs to halftime. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The surface drained pretty well but it was still a wet-weather game, a bit of a tussle, but then we were able to break them open in the third quarter with some magic from Mon Conti and Jenna Bruton as well.”

Conti was the deserving best on ground medallist as she racked up eight disposals and a goal in that term, but Bruton (eighth game) and Rennie (fifth) were also crucial, the latter saving her best game of the year for the decider.

“Aasta O’Connor was our No.1 ruck, but when Kim got her opportunities in that game, she really took them with both hands,” Kearney said.

“She was really solid for us – it wasn’t ideal coming in as a tall in that weather, but her ability to compete and bring the ball to ground for us was really crucial.”

Emma Kearney (centre) celebrates after she kicked a goal with five minutes remaining in the 2018 grand final that kept the Bulldogs clear of the fast-finishing Lions. Picture: Adam Trafford / Getty Images

Bruton would not have tasted premiership glory if not for her longtime partner and then-Collingwood star Jasmine Garner, who convinced her to nominate for the draft leading into the season.

Two months after winning the flag in March, she followed marquee signings Garner and Kearney to Arden Street before winning the best and fairest in the Kangaroos’ first season.

“Jas came over first, and then the club was like, ‘What do you reckon if we get Jenna across as well’?” Bruton said.

“She was all for it, and it’s worked out pretty well – we’re happy to be here. And Kearns coming across too, I was keen to keep working with her.

“It made it a lot easier (playing at the same club as Garner). It will be a bit more special if we get one together – it’s been a good journey.”

Jenna Bruton (left) was convinced first to enter the draft and then to join expansion side North Melbourne a year later by her longtime partner Jasmine Garner (right). Picture: Wayne Taylor

Garner was not expected to get past Adelaide star Ebony Marinoff in Monday night’s league best and fairest count, but all in the room were stunned to see the goalkicking midfielder snubbed by umpires for the third straight season as she finished equal ninth.

Bruton said it did not bother her partner, but it had personally got “a bit hard” watching her miss out on the recognition from umpires.

“We never go into those nights with expectations anymore,” she said.

“It is what it is – Jas is all for the team, and as long as she gets a premiership medal, I think she’ll be pretty happy.”

Bruton said last year’s defeat to Brisbane had not dented the Kangaroos’ belief they could break through for a maiden AFLW flag.

“Everyone is definitely hungrier this year … last year it was more a hope that we could do it – this time we’re up and about, and hopefully we can go all the way.”