TOMORROW the magical AFLW 2023 season comes to an end, but will tomorrow’s Grand Final see Brisbane win its second premiership or North Melbourne crack through for its maiden title?

Tomorrow at 2:30pm
Ikon Park

How They Got Here

Both of these sides made it through to the 2023 AFLW Grand Final after hard fought wins in last weekend’s Preliminary Finals. North Melbourne held its nerve to defeat Adelaide, while the Lions fought off a valiant Geelong.

History

The history between these two sides is a bit one-sided. The pair have met four times, and all four times Brisbane has come away with the chocolates.

That includes the last time they met, which was earlier this season down in Launceston. North Melbourne started that game well before a coaching manoeuvre from the Lions helped turned the game in their favour.

Things have tightened between the sides more recently though. The first two times they met the average margin was 25.5 points, but the two most recent meetings had an average margin of just 4.5.

Key Stat Areas

North Melbourne has been getting a lot more of the ball than Brisbane has this season, and also a lot more inside 50s, but both the disposal efficiency and inside 50 efficiency figures for both teams are relatively similar.

North Melbourne has also been doing better in the hitouts, overall clearances and stoppage clearances, but Brisbane has the better centre clearance figures. However, Brisbane has the better turnover numbers and are smashing the Kangaroos in the tackles count.

Key Match Ups

Jasmine Garner vs Breanna Koenen

The fact Koenen has been named to start in the midfield tomorrow can only mean one thing – the plan is for her to tag Garner like she did back in Round 4. And when it worked as well as it did that day, why not do it again?

Kate Shierlaw vs Jennifer Dunne

Of North Melbourne’s multi pronged tall attack, Shierlaw is perhaps the most dangerous. Dunne is the defender that perhaps is the best match up physically, but might not match up on her based on experience, but whoever ends up on her needs to ensure they play in front of her all day.

Erika O’Shea vs Courtney Hodder

Up the other end, North Melbourne will need to play special attention as to who they choose to defend Hodder. It may end up being O’Shea, who has the pace in particular to ensure Hodder does not get off the leash.