TOMORRW, it is the big one. The 2024 AFL Women’s Grand Final.

For the first time ever the two sides from last year’s big dance will meet again in this year’s decider, but is that the only bit of history that will repeat?

Tomorrow at 7:45pm AEDT
Ikon Park

How they got here

North Melbourne could not have had a better season to date.

They have gone through 2024 undefeated so far, only dropping points in a draw to Geelong back in week two.

In the finals, they defeated Adelaide in week one, before earning a week off and then comfortably disposing of Port Adelaide last week.

Brisbane meanwhile have also had a strong season, but not quite to the level of North Melbourne’s.

The Lions dropped two games in the home and away season, before sneaking over the top of Hawthorn in week one of the finals and taking care of old rivals Adelaide last weekend.  

Last time they met

In what is starting to become a fairly regular fixturing just about every season, these two have already played each other this season.

It was back in Round 1, and it was a statement win by North Melbourne. The Roos lead all day, and really put the foot down in the third term to score six goals to none and really extend their lead out. They ultimately emerged 44 point winners.

Key stat areas

There are some interesting numbers around hit outs and clearances, and with the strength of both midfields and how efficient both sides are inside 50 (both sides well over +150 per cent in that department) this could become crucial.

North has the advantage in the hit outs and overall clearances, but when you break down the clearance numbers into their types, it tells a different story. The Roos have a significant advantage in the stoppage clearances, but Brisbane have the advantage when it comes to centre clearances.

Another crucial stat considering the make up of these two sides is marks inside 50, which North Melbourne comfortably leads.

Key match up/s

It takes a full team performance to win a premiership, and so there are going to be a number of key match ups all over the ground.

From Sarah Wright and Jasmine Ferguson having to keep Taylor Smith and Dakota Davidson quiet up one end, to Kate Shierlaw battling it out with the likes of Jennifer Dunne up the other end, and in the middle, the midfield battle of Ash Riddell, Jasmine Garner, Ally Anderson and Isabel Dawes.

Trends

For a number of seasons in a row now, the previous year’s losing Grand Finalists have come back and won the whole thing the next year. However, Brisbane has already broken the trend of the reigning premiers not making the following year’s decider, so will the Lions break more and go back to back?