North Melbourne’s Libby Birch has the chance to achieve something no male or female player in AFL history has accomplished.
If the Roos win Saturday night’s AFLW grand final against the Brisbane Lions at a sold-out Ikon Park, Birch will etch her name into the league’s record books as the first player to win three flags at three different clubs.
Libby Birch is aiming for flag No.3 on Saturday.Credit: Joe Armao
“I would never have dreamed to play footy, let alone being a part of potentially three teams that achieved the ultimate success,” the former Demon and Bulldog said.
“When you get a little older like I am … you tend to appreciate getting to these moments a lot more and how much it actually takes to get there ... the staff, the team, the moment, everything accumulates to getting here.”
Birch has some staggering statistics to her name. The 26-year-old defender is the only AFLW player with wins against all 18 clubs and the only AFLW player to have been on the winning team in round one of each of the league’s nine seasons. She played for the Western Bulldogs from the start of the inaugural 2017 season and has not missed a match since, playing through broken ribs after she was crunched in a tackle by a former Melbourne teammate earlier this year.
The dominant Roos, who are undefeated this season, are hunting their maiden premiership in Saturday night’s decider, while Brisbane will try to cement themselves in AFLW history with back-to-back flags.
It will be Birch’s fourth grand final – having won the flag with the Western Bulldogs in 2018 and with Melbourne in 2022.
It’s an impressive resume for an athlete who picked up a footy for the first time eight years ago.
In the midst of a promising netball career, Birch switched to footy in 2016, encouraged by a message from AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce. She played and won a VFL women’s premiership with Darebin Falcons and debuted as a 19-year-old rookie for the Bulldogs the following year.
North Melbourne’s star recruit Libby Birch hugs teammate Tahlia Randall following their win in week one this year. Credit: via Getty Images
Birch signed with North during the 2023 trade period, after spending five seasons with Melbourne.
“I think I’ve been able to bring a bit more calmness to the group and an ability to think through situations and understand that we don’t need to be any more than we are, what we’ve been doing is enough,” she said.
Birch said premiership teams shared qualities such as maturity, bravery and the ability to step up when challenged.
“A premiership team makes sure all teammates are looked after at certain points during the game and on- and off-field as well,” she said. “It feels like we’ve been working for this since our off-season and we’re ready to go.”
Demons players celebrate on stage after winning the 2022 grand final. Credit: AFL Photos
Melbourne’s head of women’s football, Jessie Mulholland, said it was no accident that Birch’s teams had been successful.
“Her ability to defend, her contested possessions, intercepting skills and team-first mentality ... She wants what’s best for the players around her,” Mulholland said.
“We really wish her luck with everything she’s achieving this weekend ... Three premierships and three clubs, that’s never been done before.”
North teammate Jasmine Ferguson said Birch’s leadership skills, work ethic and finals experience had invigorated the team.
“I admire how much she wants to get better and she takes people along for that ride,” Ferguson said.
“She obviously knows what it takes to win a premiership, so it’s nice for the whole group to see that level of intensity you need to bring.
“Her [Birch] being in that intercepting role, I think it’s allowed a lot of us back line players to go back to what we bring as a strength,” Ferguson added.
“Sarah Wright has had one of her best years because she’s been able to return to her intercepting run-off [role] and show her skill set.”
Wright – who picked up an All Australian squad nomination this year – said Birch’s “cool and calm” demeanour helped everyone on the team.
The 30-year-old defender was tempted to retire after North’s heartbreaking grand final defeat last year, but decided to give the premiership dream one last shot.
“Last year, it was the first grand final for many girls, so this year is a bit different,” Wright said. “We know what to expect and we’re a little bit more confident going in.”
This year’s grand final will be held at night for the first time in AFLW history.
Birch is well drilled in preparing for grand finals.
“I think it’s always good to do something to distract yourself [before a final] ... might be going to the movies or taking a nap,” she laughed. “It’s about having some downtime and not thinking about footy too much.”
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