North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos AFLW signing Jasmine Garner is still pinching herself after the star forward joined the club on Friday.
Garner, a strong marking centre-half forward, made the switch after being at Collingwood since the league began in 2017.
“It’s really exciting,” Garner told North Media.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but as the weeks go by everything will start to sink in, and I’m just really excited.”
For the 23-year-old, the move wasn’t an easy decision, however Garner knew Arden Street was the place for her as soon as she arrived for the first time.
“It was a tough decision, it certainly wasn’t something I made overnight,” she said.
“As soon as I walked through the doors at North, I just got a really good feeling about it.
“It was a good vibe, and the club was just really supportive and I had a really good feeling, and that’s what helped me make my decision.”
Garner is a part of North’s first group of high-profile signings, and is excited about building a team from scratch, and playing alongside the reigning league best and fairest winner Emma Kearney.
“I’m really excited to be a part of building a team,” Garner said.
“Hopefully we can build something special and get a good bunch of girls.
“I played with Emma [Kearney] in the State of Origin game, but I’ve played against her a lot.
“She’s not one of those players you want to play against because she is one of the best midfielders in the competition, if not the best.
“I’m really excited to have her in our midfield.”
Regarded as one of the strongest marks in the competition, Garner is hoping to bring her attacking flare to North.
Her forward craft is something she’s worked on since eight years of age.
“I started when I was eight-years-old down at Yarraville with the boys,” she added.
“My cousins played there, so I joined in, and I’ve played ever since.
“I played youth girls, then I played senior footy at the St Kilda Sharks, and it’s kind of all taken-off from there.
“I hope to bring an attacking game-style. Being a forward, we love to kick goals, and I just want to help my teammates around me.
“If you’ve got the right support around you, anything can happen.
“If I’m not kicking goals, I’m hoping the other forwards are. I’m not really worried about who kicks the goals, as long as someone is.”