King ‘excited’ at chance to be crowned an AFLW flag winner

Launceston’s Mia King was a late starter to football. But turning her back on gymnastics has proven a wise move for the Kangaroos star as she prepares for her first AFLW grand final.

Launceston’s Mia King is preparing for her first AFLW grand final with North Melbourne. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Mia King jokes she “still had a two-handed ball drop” when drafted by North Melbourne.

It’s been a fun and rewarding journey for the Launceston product before she plays in Sunday’s AFLW grand final against Brisbane, having established herself as one of the AFLW’s more respected inside midfielders.

“I made level six or seven national level (gymnastics). I did it from a young age and it was always very competitive,” the 22-year-old said.

“I’ve always had that drive, but I fell in love with football for the team aspect.

“If you’ve got certain qualities you can definitely adapt to the game. I picked up my first football in year nine and when I got drafted (2019), I still had a two-handed ball drop. I’ve definitely come a long way, but still a long way to go and lots to learn.

“I also loved basketball and netball growing up and when a teacher asked me in grade ten (to play football), I fell in love with it.

“Just the fact it’s so open and free – in netball it’s quite rigid where you have to play a certain spot.

Mia King (right) celebrates with teammate Kim Rennie after the preliminary final win over Adelaide. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Just the feeling of running out with a group of people who are all behind you, it’s really nice.”

King, who has wong flags with East Launceston and Launceston coming through the system, last week re-signed with the Kangaroos until at least the end of 2026.

She said the club’s Apple Isle connection, with a number of other Tasmanians on the list, was a major selling point initially.

Fellow Tasmanian Nicole Bresnehan will also feature for the Roos in the grand final after recently returning from ankle surgery.

“When it first looked like I was getting drafted I had no doubts about picking North Melbourne. I just wanted to go there, especially with the Tassie connection.

“I had Daria (Bannister, now at Essendon) and Nicole Bresnehan, I knew that’s where I wanted to go.

“It’s the first time we’ve made a grand final, to win the cup would be amazing. But we know Brisbane are a great opposition, we’re not looking that far ahead yet.”

The Kangaroos bounced out of finals in the first week the previous two years, and in 2019 they were due to play a preliminary final before Covid lockdown forced the season to be cancelled.

After losing to long-time heavyweights Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide in the regular season, the Roos made a statement with an emphatic win 41-point over the Demons, before they held edged the Crows by a point in last week’s preliminary final.

“While we lost to them in the home and away season, the fact we’ve been able to stand up against really strong opposition in big games gives us a lot of confidence and belief,” King said.

North Melbourne’s Mia King. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

“Brisbane is another strong challenge, we’ll take the same approach to the game.

“It’s definitely starting to sink in (we’re in a grand final) now. I was pretty wired after the game on Sunday night, I just couldn’t really believe it and didn’t get much sleep.

“We’ve had our first session today (Tuesday) and it’s starting to feel more real. All the TV cameras are here so it’s starting to sink in.”

King said they learned plenty from their two-point defeat to the Lions at Launceston in late September, the Kangaroos’ first-ever loss in Tasmania.

“We controlled and dominated large parts of that game. There were moments where there were lapses, whether that’s structurally or just not picking up a player,” King said.

“We know Brisbane is going to bring so much intensity and pressure, so it’s not going to be about playing perfect football.

“We’ve been really good at adapting and playing that brand of football.”

Mia King. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

King said she was allocated ten tickets to distribute to family and friends, but was thankful others were able to purchase them.

Her mother Lucy, stepfather and sister Molly will be at Ikon Park.

“It’s super exciting. The game sold out in like four hours,” she said.

“It’s great to play in front of a big crowd and it’s exciting to see women’s football is growing and getting so big.

“The boys (AFL players) have been great, they’ve been to our games and to see them and the club support us is fantastic.

“To win the cup would be amazing. But we know Brisbane are a great opposition, we’re not looking that far ahead yet.”