AFLW Grand Final 2025: North Melbourne claims back-to-back premierships with 40-point win over Brisbane Lions
North Melbourne has won its 27th straight game, completing an unbeaten season and making history as the AFLW’s first back-to-back premier.
It is often said that the sequel is never as good as the original.
But for North Melbourne, Saturday night proved even better as they became the first team to secure back-to-back AFL Women’s premierships.
And with a few extra cast members to round out the blockbuster effect.
Under the cover of darkness, it was maybe the best movie cast ever in Ocean’s Eleven — Clooney, Pitt, Roberts, Damon — pulled off the ultimate heist and then backed it up again and again, and this team has all the hallmarks of Hollywood finesse.
Only it’s Garner, Riddell, Randall, Kearney, imports Wall, O’Shea and Bogue and the fresh addition of impact player Eilish Sheerin under lights in a scene they’ve made their own to make it a top-line must-see.
Their banner declared they were “not done yet”, and they still might not be for a long time yet.
Under the current tiered payment system, it is going to be near-impossible for opposition sides to break this team apart.
Sheerin was one of only three changes to last year’s premiership outfit and saved her best for last, demolishing the Lions by foot after appearing to be somewhat kept in reserve in the preliminary final for Saturday.
Control the ball, control the game has long been North’s mantra. And at the moment, control the competition.
That’s 27 games on the trot with no sign of slowing up, with Libby Birch, Tess Craven, Jas Ferguson, Tahlia Randall, Kim Rennie, Ash Riddell, Amy Smith and Ruby Tripodi the golden eight who have played in every game of the streak.
CAN'T. LOSE. KANGAS.
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 29, 2025
The first team in AFLW history to go back-to-back 🦘@Toyota_Aus | #AFLWGFpic.twitter.com/ZGXvktju0z
Brisbane threw everything and barely made a ripple in the serene Roos surface.
In cruise control, led from the top with the calmest of leaders in coach Darren Crocker and captain Jasmine Garner who delivered an effortless goal to ensure victory at the beginning of the final quarter.
It’s Garner - a premiership captain for the first time - who sets the tone.
And Crocker - the coach of the year for the second time and a two-time premiership coach - doesn’t get the plaudits of his players but is, alongside assistant Rhys Harwood, the architect of the dynasty.
They’ve nailed their lines without even a hint of nerves under the spotlight in a coaching performance over 27 games for the ages.
Crock 🥹#AFLWGFpic.twitter.com/dy76TD6G7U
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 29, 2025
Rarely have you seen a team more relaxed in the lead-up to a premiership decider.
The late start makes for a long day of waiting for the first bounce.
Long.
But this Kangaroos team was ready to bask in every layer to its latest unmatched glory, laughing and smiling with match and broadcast officials on the ground as the crowd began to make their way in and standing outside the changerooms to catch the set from Peking Duk and Keli Holiday, dancing.
And some two hours later, North Melbourne was - to borrow a phrase from Holiday - dancing, too.
NORTH INVINCIBLES MAKE HISTORY AS FIRST BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS
— Chloe Williams
North Melbourne has become the first back-to-back Premier in the AFLW, defeating Brisbane by 40 points.
In the third straight Grand Final between the two sides, it was new Roo Eilish Sheerin who lit up IKON Park after making her long-awaited return from a hamstring injury last week.
The Lions’ accuracy let them down this year, but Charlotte Mullins made sure her side started strong as her set shot sailed through the middle.
Brisbane scored the first goal when the two sides first met in 2023 - and subsequently claimed victory - but tonight, a bullish blue-and-white brigade was no match for the Lions from the outset.
Sheerin was quick to quell the visiting crowd, with her snapping finish almost as classy as her fend off on Shannon Campbell, who registered her seventh Grand Final appearance.
It wasn’t without controversy, as Tahlia Randall was lucky to not get caught holding the ball only moments earlier.
One for the skipper 🫡#AFLWGFpic.twitter.com/OOnqADrDmE
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 29, 2025
What began as a chaotic contest-to-contest affair slowly opened up as North Melbourne controlled play in its usual style, finishing the first term +15 for uncontested possession.
Brisbane’s eventual fight back was disrupted by a one-hundred metre penalty in favour of Kate Shierlaw.
North Melbourne hadn’t lost a second quarter this season, and made sure it stuck to the task, putting its foot on the throat to record a pressure factor of 268.
It culminated in a 28-point half time lead.
Halfway through the third term, Lion Ruby Svarc recorded her side’s first goal since the two-minute mark in the opening term.
But it was too little too late, with the deficit blowing out to 40 points late in the final term.
All-Australian forward Blaithin Bogue was well held by Nat Grider, but North Melbourne’s side is built on depth, and it was Jenna Bruton who joined in the chorus with three goals to boot.
Eilish Sheerin is built for the #AFLWGF stage 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Nkrh4EfNA3
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 29, 2025
Brisbane saw Melbourne limit the Kangaroos’ uncontested game last week, but was unable to replicate this success, succumbing to a +50 defeat in the metric.
It was ultimately where the game was lost.
Craig Starcevich’s side was ill-disciplined, too, giving away four fifty metre penalties, whilst North Melbourne gave away none.
AFLW Best and Fairest Ash Riddell (39 disposals) and AFLPA Player of the Year Jas Garner (28 disposals) were too dominant at the source, handing full control to the eventual Premiers.
They led clearance by 13, even with Mia King remaining on the sidelines.
Ultimately, much of the night looked like a North Melbourne game.
Belle Dawes (31 disposals, eight tackles) was unable to will her side over the line as they struggled to create adequate chances in Starcevich’s fifth Grand Final loss.
A sloppy turnover leading to a Garner goal in the final term made this feat all but impossible, as the Kangaroo army rose to their feet for the 27th time in a row.
This one, however, may be just that little bit sweeter.
THREE RECORDS BROKEN
North Melbourne has become the first AFLW side to claim back-to-back Premierships - both of which have come against Brisbane.
It extends the Kangaroos’ winning streak to 27 games, with the record now poised to extend into a third season.
After becoming the first player to win an AFLW Grand Final for three different clubs in last year’s victory, Libby Birch is now the first four-time premiership player in the competition.
WORTHWHILE MOVE
Sheerin moved to North Melbourne to play in big games, and it was evident how desperate she was to make an impact early.
Registering ten disposals (seven contested) and a goal, she affirmed the Club’s decision to manage her minutes last week.
Finishing the game with two goals and 28 disposals, she proved her worth is well above the Pick 18 which Richmond received to replace her.
ONE HUNDRED METRES
What began as a late shove ended in the Kangaroos’ third goal of the day in a bizarre showing from Brisbane veteran Shannon Campbell.
In her seventh Grand Final, she handed Kate Shierlaw a one hundred metre advancement after infringing on the protected zone.
Territory is North Melbourne’s prized possession, and a gifted goal halted Brisbane’s momentum.
THE HEAT IS ON
Emma Kearney was always going to bring the heat, but a crunching bump on Belle Dawes in the first term set the tone for the contest which ensued.
Lion Eleanor Hartill showed they too were up for the fight with repeat efforts - the second a tackle on Kearney - as they led the pressure factor early 223-195.
Two goals for Jenna Bruton and on the way to a third AFLW flag 🌟#AFLWGFpic.twitter.com/cLPuO2OrPF
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 29, 2025
HOT POTATO
As Jenna Bruton nailed North Melbourne’s fourth straight goal, The Wiggles’ “Hot Potato” rang through IKON Park.
An ode to her family’s potato farm in Trentham, the fourth-generation farmer herself ran hot from long range en route to her third Premiership.
She finished the night as the leading goal scorer afield.
FORWARD WOES
Despite leading the inside 50’s by 11 at the main break, Brisbane had scored only one goal.
Dakota Davidson (two disposals), Courtney Hodder (four disposals) and Neasa Dooley (one disposal) were all unable to make an impact.
To this point, Brisbane’s efficiency inside 50 sat at only 12.5 per cent - well below its season average (45.2 per cent).
The Lions’ inaccuracy threatened to derail their chances at revenge, often wasteful in front of goal this year, but tonight they struggled to even find scoring shots.
Originally published as AFLW Grand Final 2025: North Melbourne claims back-to-back premierships with 40-point win over Brisbane Lions
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