Even the most casual AFLW fan knows Emma Kearney is already a legend of the game.

Kearney is a premiership player, league best and fairest winner, a two-time club best and fairest winner with the Western Bulldogs, the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos' inaugural captain since the club’s introduction to the competition in 2019, and a five-time All-Australian recipient. She was not only one of the league’s brightest stars in its early years, but has continued to grow and thrive alongside the competition.

Fans may have been surprised to see one of the game's premier inside midfielders lining up on the half-back flank in her season debut against Adelaide, and again in Round 3’s victory over GWS. However, much like Jack Ziebell’s positional change in the AFL program last year, the decision to move North’s captain into defence looks to be an inspired one.

Finishing the clash with the Giants with 16 disposals, one goal and four tackles, she was one of North’s best players on the day, and her burgeoning partnership with Kaitlyn Ashmore in the wide areas of the ground often left the Giants' defenders chasing shadows.

Ashmore says she's enjoying the closer on-field relationship she's developing with her skipper.

"I really like her coming off half-back. To be honest, at first I thought it was a bit of a weird change since she’s always been able to impact games so well from the midfield, but her run off of half-back is so good," Ashmore told North Media.

"I love the way she plays, and she's been pushing me to run and take the grass since we became teammates, and this is our fourth year together. It's really nice to have her pushing me up on the wing.

"We linked up a few times, and it’s really exciting because she’s got some pace as well. To run together, link up, and get the ball into our forwards is really exciting. I love playing with her."

Although the Kangaroos were dominant in their victory over GWS, Round 3 was about far more than just football, with the league celebrating its second ever official Pride Round.

Started by the Western Bulldogs and Carlton in 2018, the cause was promoted across an entire round for the first time in 2021. North defeated St Kilda by 26 points in its first ever Pride Round clash, meaning the Roos have maintained their unbeaten Pride record.

Ashmore says the day was full of significant events.

For 'Kearns' to kick the first goal was just amazing, especially given the occasion. She's so passionate. She’d done a speech beforehand so we were already emotional," Ashmore said.

"To have Dani (Laidley) come in and toss the coin was also just a great moment. She came and spoke to us afterwards and it was just, honestly, she’s just an absolutely gorgeous person.

"To have her come in and be part of our group, I’m getting emotional now just thinking about it. She’s a Shinboner and we’re all Shinboners. It’s just amazing to have people like her around the group. It was also great to see how much it meant to ‘Crock’ (Darren Crocker). He was getting emotional speaking to her as well.

"It was really amazing to do that before the game, but it’s a wider thing than just one round. It wasn’t just about us, we were really mindful that we were playing for the community on Sunday."

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