North Melbourne claim maiden AFLW premiership after grand final domination over Brisbane Lions

North Melbourne have been crowned AFLW premiers after completing an undefeated season with a grand final domination of the Brisbane Lions.

It was a rematch of last year’s finals but this time it was the Roos who would not be denied taking out a 6.3 (39) to 1.3 (9) victory in front of a sell-out Princes Park.

The 30-point margin is the second largest in AFLW grand final history since Adelaide’s 45-point trouncing of Carlton in 2019 while the Lions’ nine points is the lowest-ever grand final score.

It’s a maiden AFLW triumph for North Melbourne and a first flag for the club as a whole since their 1999 triumph while the Lions couldn’t quite match their male counterparts taking the runner-up honours for the fourth time in six attempts.

A draw in round two against Geelong were the only points North Melbourne dropped all-season as they put an exclamation mark on the new standard they’ve set this year becoming the first team to go unbeaten.

Jasmine Garner was named best on ground after a commanding performance in the midfield collecting 35 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 13 tackles and 10 clearances in a huge

Tess Craven kicked the opening goal as the Roos got off to a flyer kicking the first three majors of the game before Ellie Hampson finally got the Lions on the board after 18 minutes.

However it would be the only joy for the Lions on a steamy night as the Kangaroos kept them goalless for the rest of the game as the North Melbourne defence proved impregnable.

Kearney (23 disposals) was influential across half-back in her second game back from a hamstring injury, while Garner and Ash Riddell (30) were brilliant in the midfield.

A rushed behind to Brisbane was the only score of a hard-fought third term, before a Wall major extended North’s advantage early in the final quarter.

Down by 23 points, the Lions’ task got even more difficult when Ellenger had to be helped off the field with an ankle injury.

O’Loughlin’s third goal sealed the result and sent North Melbourne fans into party mode, celebrating their club’s first premiership.

- WITH AAP