Emma Kearney has cut back her cricket commitments and hopes to reap the rewards in AFLW03

Emma Kearney reveals the toll living the double life of a cross-code sportswoman was having on her but after cutting back her cricket commitments the North Melbourne skipper hopes to reap the rewards in AFLW03.

Emma Kearney charges through half forward. Picture: Michael Klein

Emma Kearney copped a raised elbow.

She needed it. Seated in Western Bulldogs team meetings 12 months ago, the midfielder would nod off to sleep.

“My teammate Lauren Spark would elbow me,” Kearney said. “I was just wrecked.”

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The friendly fire wasn’t to counter late nights. Rather, Kearney’s double life was wearing her down, completing an AFLW pre-season while bowling for Melbourne Stars in the WBBL.

This season Kearney has crossed to North Melbourne and retired from the Stars.

“It’s a lot better,” she said.

Emma Kearney in action for the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

Emma Kearney in action for Melbourne Stars.

“Last year I was trying to please everyone. I didn’t want to let down the Bulldogs when I was playing for them, and you certainly don’t want to let down the Stars.

“Because you’re in season for cricket you actually have to make that a priority.

“But I was missing out on 8-10 (AFLW) training sessions and that’s a lot when you’re only training three times a week and it’s a very short pre-season.”

The Stars’ campaign was draining. Imagine flying across the country to play 14 games in eight weeks plus being called to family days and members clinics while training for AFLW.

“You really don’t have a day off to yourself,” Kearney said.

“Physically you just do it, but mentally it was exhausting.”

Emma Kearney claims the AFLW league best-and-fairest. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Often Kearney would pack a Sherrin in her cricket bag and complete some touch work with the Stars’ strength and conditioning coach.

Kangas teammate Jess Duffin missed the club’s practice match win against Melbourne last month because she was batting for the Renegades in their WBBL semi-final.

“(Duffin) came to training the other day and looked really exhausted — she still gets through training really well — but mentally she looked really tired,” Kearney said.

“But if you’ve still got the option to do both, why not do both? Particularly if you’re still loving it.

“I gave away cricket because I wasn’t enjoying it as much. I wasn’t playing as well as I would’ve liked and that probably has to do with the fact I was just so busy.

“But if you’ve got the opportunity — Monique Conti is doing basketball and footy — keep at it.

Victoria’s AFLW captains (from left) Steph Chiocci, Mel Hickey, Elise O'Dea, Ellie Blackburn, Brianna Davey and Emma Kearney. Picture: Ian Currie

“It’s a unique opportunity. We’re lucky in some ways we can do both, we’re unlucky we’re not getting paid enough so we have to choose one.”

Kearney, 29, backed Jenna Bruton and Jas Garner to excite when North’s AFLW campaign begins today.

“Jenna played forward at the Bulldogs but she’s a natural midfielder who’s super classy and clean,” Kearney said.

“And Garner probably has the best hands in the competition. She’ll give us a really solid (forward) target.”
But Kearney said marquee forward Mo Hope shouldn’t be judged on goals.

“The focus for Mo is … about what you’re doing when you don’t have the ball.” Kearney said.
“She’s been working really hard defensively to get better that way.”

Originally published as Emma Kearney has cut back her cricket commitments and hopes to reap the rewards in AFLW03