If a team is looking to consistently win games, a stingy defence is key.

Some of the biggest storylines of the season took place in the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos’ backline as Darren Crocker tinkered with his side. The likes of Brooke Brown and Emma Kearney joined the group, while Tahlia Randall moved forward.

With the Kangaroos’ AFLW season now finished, North Media looks at every player on the list and how they performed this season - starting with the defenders.

8 - Aileen Gilroy

After an interrupted pre-season that included two weeks of hotel quarantine following her arrival from Ireland, Aileen Gilroy produced yet another brilliant season in royal blue and white.

Playing all 11 games this season, her consistency to not just play each week, but play well, was a welcome comfort in a back line that struggled for continuity across the season. Her speed, intensity in the contest and booming long kicks forward were once again a massive weapon for the Kangaroos.

Her 15 disposal, four-tackle performance against Carlton was her best game this season, but the never-say-die attitude and willingness to play a selfless team role and put her body on the line means she offers far more than just statistics to this backline.

Season stats (average per game):
12 disposals (4.4 contested), 224.6 metres gained, 5.7 intercepts, 2.1 tackles, 1.4 score involvements.

9 - Emma Kearney

In what was a surprise move to many, midfield general Emma Kearney made a positional change this year as she transitioned from a clearance winning inside midfielder to a classy rebounding half-back flanker.

Kearney’s footballing ability has never been in doubt, but the positional change allowed fans to see some of her best attributes more consistently, with her leadership, speed and kicking efficiency becoming some of the most important parts of her game as she took to her new role.

She missed her first round of AFLW since the competition’s inception in Round 1 due to health and safety protocols, but she returned to become an undroppable member of the side for the remainder of the season.

The type of captain who leads by example, Kearney was often the target of some excess physicality by opposition players as they looked to curb her impact, but she emerged from almost every game as one of the Kangaroos’ top performers.

Season stats (average per game):
19.1 disposals (6.6 contested, 73.8 per cent disposal efficiency), 323.2 metres gained, 1.7 tackles, 7.2 intercepts, 1.9 score involvements.

17 - Sarah Wright

One of the most understated and underrated players on this North Melbourne list, Sarah Wright once again put together a season of quiet achievement in the Kangaroos’ backline.

A strong and athletic one-on-one defender, Wright was often the player tasked with defending the opposition’s most dangerous mid-sized forward and generally won her individual battles.

Intercept marking was undoubtedly one of her greatest strengths across the year, and she would float back and mark goal-bound opposition shots on the line seemingly every week.

She won some of the praise she deserved after her Round 10 performance against West Coast, finishing the clash with 22 disposals, nine marks and 11 intercepts.

Season stats (average per game):
9.2 disposals (3.4 contested, 86.7 per cent disposal efficiency), 74 metres gained, 3.2 marks, 1.2 tackles, 5.2 intercepts.

20 - Jas Ferguson

The 51st pick in the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft, Jas Ferguson’s ability to not only rise to the standard of senior football, but to look comfortable at the highest level immediately, is a testament to the work ethic and drive she showed this season. 

Alternating between centre half-back and full-back over the year, Ferguson’s ability to perform in the deepest defender role in the absence of Dani Hardiman made fans question how she slipped so low in the draft.

She blanketed former AFLW leading goalkicker Darcy Vescio in the Round 4 clash with Carlton, and played all but one game across the season.

Bona-fide key defenders can be hard to come by at the top level, and if her 2022 season is anything to go by, North Melbourne has certainly found one in Ferguson.

Season stats (average per game):
Seven disposals (2.1 contested, 74.3 per cent disposal efficiency), 2.6 marks, 1.5 tackles, 3.5 intercepts.

27 - Jess Duffin

After playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL ahead of the 2022 AFLW season, Jess Duffin traded her cricket bat for some football boots and hit the ground running for North Melbourne this campaign. 

Playing the first six games for the season, Duffin was the unfortunate casualty as the Kangaroos looked to find more balance in its defence, losing her spot in the team for the Round 7 clash with Collingwood.

While she wouldn’t play another senior game for the campaign, she’s been among the Kangaroos’ best performers in the VFLW in recent weeks as she pushed to regain her spot in the team.

Season stats (average per game)
9.8 disposals (3.3 contested, 81.4 per cent disposal efficiency), 3.3 marks, 1.2 tackles, 4.3 intercepts, 1.7 score involvements

31 - Dani Hardiman

The veteran leader of North Melbourne’s defence, Dani Hardiman started her season in style as she was voted into the Kangaroos’ leadership group for the first time in her career.

Injuries and health and safety protocols saw her in and out of the side across the season, playing just seven games. While Jas Ferguson stepped up in her absence, Hardiman’s ability to marshal the defence was missed in the games she didn’t play.

Generally tasked with holding the opposition’s primary forward target, Hardiman’s ability to win aerial contests and prevent her opponent from having a clean run at the ball is second to none across the competition.

The stop/start nature of her campaign saw her struggle to find consistency this season, but her experience and application shone through as she stuck to her task admirably in each contest.

Season stats (average per game):
Six disposals (1.3 contested, 73.8 per cent disposal efficiency), 1.7 marks, 1.1 tackles, 3.6 intercepts

36 - Brooke Brown

Traditionally a ruck/forward, Brooke Brown was another player to move into defence this year, and she looks to have found her footballing niche.

Brown played all but one game this season and impressed in a rebounding role, while her speed and athleticism allowed her to transition back and perform her defensive duties well.

While she was somewhat learning on the job this season, she looked comfortable in possession and her decision-making improved as the campaign progressed. She certainly showed glimpses of being able to lock down a spot in the Kangaroos’ defence for years to come.

Season stats (average per game):
13.4 disposals (2.7 contested, 72.4 per cent efficiency), 3.6 marks, 1.5 tackles, five intercepts, 3.6 rebound 50s