Tasked with guiding the Kangaroos through the 2023 season, North Melbourne's leadership group is made up of stars across all three lines.
In the fourth and final part of our 2023 season preview, NMFC Media highlights the seven Roos that find themselves at the head of a squad with one thing in mind.
Emma Kearney
The only player in AFLW history to have received All-Australian honours in every season of the competition, Kearney will captain the Kangas in 2023 for a sixth straight season.
Able to organise and rebound from half-back as well as tear through the midfield, she is not only a tremendous leader but a versatile weapon senior coach Darren Crocker again has at his disposal.
With the Kangaroos striving to close the gap on Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, Kearney's season embedded with the men's program's deep, experienced coaching group led by Alastair Clarkson will no doubt benefit her team in various scenarios.
Nicole Bresnehan
Tasmanian product Bresnehan was promoted to co-vice-captain in July after two seasons in the leadership group.
A calm and collected defender, 'Flash' goes about her game in an understated way which is perhaps why she's flown under the radar from a wider league perspective.
She's greatly respected at Arden Street though, having been entrusted to lead the backline through three finals appearances last season.
Jasmine Garner
Co-vice-captain Garner has the rare ability to completely dictate the terms of a game.
The onballer is arguably the best player in the competition, despite the highest individual honour – the AFLW Best and Fairest Award – having eluded her in a season that saw her named All-Australian captain, win North Melbourne's best and fairest and take home the AFL Coaches Association's Champion Player of the Year Award.
However, Garner - like her teammates - won't be too concerned with solo recognition, and will continue to eye off her own and the club's first premiership.
Emma King
A staple of North Melbourne's line-up since its inaugural match, King will again play a pivotal role in 2023 as both a key target inside 50 and a supporting ruck to Kim Rennie.
The two-time All-Australian averaged 12.3 hitouts per game last season but was more damaging up forward, having kicked an accurate 10.2 over 13 games.
Her standout footy IQ separates her from most of the competition's ruck-forwards, and its no surprise that the experienced tall will have a key role to play from Sunday onwards.
Ash Riddell
A little less prolific last season as the Roos spread responsibility, Riddell remained a crucial cog in North Melbourne's engine room as both a ball-winner and link-up player.
With her impressive aerobic capacity and determination to push back and forward, the No.7 always poses a challenging match-up for the opposition, and you can expect more of the same this season.
With versatile recruits Ruby Tripodi and Lulu Pullar in the mix for midfield minutes, and both Tess Craven and Taylah Gatt a chance to go through the guts, Riddell's vocal leadership will be more important than ever, particularly with Jenna Bruton to miss the early rounds.
Kate Shierlaw
We touched on the club's marquee recruit in part two of the season preview, but as a true lead-up centre-half forward, Shierlaw adds another layer to North Melbourne's offensive mix.
As a solid bail-out kick option and an accurate kick for goal, the former Saint could prove to be the forward centrepiece and organiser the Kangaroos need to take that next step as a team.
Similarly to King, Shierlaw's presence and experience will be a boon for emerging forwards Alice O'Loughlin, Sophia McCarthy, and Charli Granville.
Bella Eddey
A full pre-season learning the forward craft has Eddey primed to hit the ground running in her first season as part of the leadership group, having been elevated into the role after three years on the Kangaroos' list.
The No.3 booted five goals last season from Round 5 onwards after she was switched from the wing to half-forward, and is more than capable of improving that number this time around.
