THIS afternoon it all goes down at Ikon Park, with North Melbourne and Brisbane fighting it out to become 2023 AFL Women’s premiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahead of the big game, the captains and coaches from both sides gathered in Melbourne and spoke to the media ahead of the big game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kangaroos\u2019 coach Darren Crocker<\/em><\/strong> said that it would be special if his side was able to win it\u2019s first flag today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you mention it that way, it is amazing for the current group of our program to be in a position where we\u2019ve spoken about you only get the opportunity to be the first once and we\u2019ve got that opportunity right in front of us to create a legacy like Brisbane have already done in the history of their footy club so for our program it would be enormous for as a club and the women\u2019s program we feel is in a really, really, good space,” he said. “It\u2019s been a journey but to now give ourselves an opportunity to win our first ever AFLW premiership it\u2019d be pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the flipside of the equation, Lions\u2019 captain Bre Koenen<\/a> is about to play in her fifth decider, but said it around did not feel any different compared her previous AFLW Grand Final appearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think they all feel so different and each bring a unique feel,” she said. “We\u2019ve got a different group this year compared to any other year, so I don\u2019t go into it expecting anything now. I\u2019ve been lucky to be in enough, but each time it\u2019s been surreal being here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Koenen\u2019s coach Craig Starcevich<\/em><\/strong> said that when it comes to whether he is leaning on his experienced heads as much as they are on him to make sure the group is prepared, he said that was likely the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “If you\u2019ve done it before there\u2019s a degree of calmness about and a bit of focus about your preparation no doubt about that,” he said. “Bre and Shannon Campbell<\/a> and Ally Anderson<\/a> have four prior to this, and I think Sophie\u2019s three, so that helps, but essentially once the game starts it\u2019s let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Everyone\u2019s out there to try and win the game, but I think in your prep stage it can be helpful but I think they\u2019ll have some sort of role to play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite her side being about to play in its first AFLW Grand Final, Koenen\u2019s opposite number Emma Kearney<\/a> said that although she, Jenna Bruton<\/a> and Kim Rennie<\/a> have played in a flag at other clubs before, their experience counts for little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think it comes into it a little bit, but at the end of the day it\u2019s a completely different side that we\u2019re playing for, against a completely different opposition, albeit the same team but they\u2019re a completely different side,” she said. “I think for us it\u2019s just about making sure that the players are calm, they\u2019re really clear on the role that they need to play. Sometimes nerves can get the better of them, but if we can just keep coming back to what is our role for the day, that sometimes helps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n