SEASON 2023 almost went perfectly to plan for North Melbourne. ‘Almost’ being the key word of that sentence.

After going through the home and away season as one of the strongest sides of the competition once again, they made top four for the first time and won all the way through to the Grand Final, but unfortunately it was not to be as they went down to Brisbane on Grand Final Day.

But, a new season brings new opportunities so will this be the year they finally go all the way and win their first premiership?

TEAM LIST

#1 Elizabeth McGrath

#2 Libby Birch

#3 Bella Eddey

#4 Zoe Savarirayan

#5 Tess Craven

#6 Alice O’Loughlin

#7 Ash Riddell

#8 Taylah Gatt

#9 Emma Kearney

#10 Blaithin Bogue

#11 Eliza Shannon

#12 Nicole Bresnehan

#13 Vikki Wall

#14 Erika O’Shea

#15 Amy Smith

#16 Tahlia Randall

#17 Sarah Wright

#18 Ella Slocombe

#19 Ruby Tripodi

#20 Jasmine Ferguson

#23 Mia King

#24 Lucinda Pullar

#25 Jasmine Garner

#26 Kim Rennie

#27 Georgia Stubs*

#28 Niamh Martin

#29 Lucy Burke

#33 Kate Shierlaw

#35 Jenna Bruton

#60 Emma King

Sophie Kavanagh

* inactive list

SQUAD CHANGES

In: Vicki Wall (return from inactive), Libby Birch, Blaithin Bogue, Ella Slocombe, Georgia Stubs, Sophie Kavanagh

Out: Charli Granville, Cassidy Mailer, Hannah Bowey, Sophia McCarthy, Ellie Gavalas, Ailish Considine

FIXTURE

Match 1: September 1 vs Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena

Match 2: September 8 vs Geelong at Arden St Oval

Match 3: September 15 vs Melbourne at Casey Fields

Match 4: September 20 vs Port Adelaide at Whitten Oval

Match 5: September 15 vs Carlton at Ikon Park

Match 6: September 29 vs Richmond at UTAS Stadium

Match 7: October 5 vs Western Bulldogs at Arden St Oval

Match 8: October 13 vs Sydney at North Hobart Oval

Match 9: October 20 vs Essendon at Windy Hill  

Match 10: October 25 vs Adelaide at Norwood Oval

Match 11: TBC vs Gold Coast at Arden St Oval

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Can they finally go all the way?

Having been around the mark for just about their entire history in the competition, the Roos finally took a step forward last season they have been on the verge of for a few seasons now and made the Grand Final. Although things did not go to plan last season, will things be different this season?

How can they solve the Garner being tagged problem?

On multiple occasions last season, sides were able to beat North Melbourne by putting a hard tag on Jasmine Garner. Although North Melbourne’s midfield is one of the strongest in the league, Garner is a hugely influential part of it, doing a lot of the grunt clearance work. Can North Melbourne find a way to either break the tag on Garner, or have someone else step up and take over her role?

PLAYER TO WATCH

Vikki Wall

When Wall first debuted in the AFLW a few years ago, her ferocity certainly made a mark on the competition.

Now after some time away to pursue a Rugby 7s career, she is back in the AFLW and ready to play a big role for the Roos, but what will her impact be?

PREDICTION

There is a reason North Melbourne made it as far as they did last year, and there is a reason they are premiership favourites again this season. They have all the components to truly go all the way this season, but can they take the heartbreak they suffered last season and use it as a tool to propel them to premiership glory this season?