Emma Kearney will captain the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos again in 2023 after being backed in by her teammates for a sixth straight season.

The only player in AFLW history to receive All-Australian honours in every season of the competition, Kearney has led the Kangaroos since the team’s inaugural season in 2019.

The 33-year-old will be supported by six teammates, including co-vice captains Jasmine Garner and Nicole Bresnehan.

Tasmanian product Bresnehan has been promoted to co-vice-captain after two seasons in the leadership group, while Emma King and Ash Riddell will continue as leaders.

Young gun Bella Eddey and headline recruit Kate Shierlaw round out the seven-woman leadership group as new inclusions.

At 21, Eddey will be a strong representative for the team’s younger contingent, while Shierlaw will bring her leadership experience to her new colours after two seasons as co-captain of St Kilda. 

“We are very excited to have a group of players and people of this calibre lead the team in 2023,” North Melbourne head of women’s football Nathan Hrovat said.  

“Emma has been an incredibly reliable leader in our program since its inception, and it’s a credit to her and the broader group that their teammates have entrusted them with these responsibilities.

“It is exciting to see the emergence of Bella Eddey and Kate Shierlaw, who join our leadership group for the first time. Kate’s inclusion is a testament to the significant impact she has already had in her short time at the club, while Bella’s highlights the readiness of our younger players to step up and lead by example.”

The Kangaroos kick off their 2023 campaign against St Kilda at Blundstone Arena on September 3.