Club: North Melbourne
Coach: Darren Crocker
Captain: Emma Kearney
2021 best and fairest: Jasmine Garner
2021 in a nutshell: Boasting the deepest midfield in the competition and an effective game style that saw them lead the competition for clearances and effective kicks, the Kangaroos qualified for their second finals series in three seasons with a 6-3 record. They dominated expansion teams, but let themselves down against the contenders, beating only Fremantle of the eventual top six. Midfielder/forward Jasmine Garner remained a star of the competition and won back-to-back club champion awards, with captain Emma Kearney joining her in the All-Australian team. Midfielder Ash Riddell was prolific and averaged a team-high 21.8 disposals, with a season-high 33 against the Dockers.
Full squad: Sophie Abbatangelo, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Daria Bannister, Daisy Bateman, Brooke Brown, Nicole Bresnehan, Jenna Bruton, Grace Campbell, Tess Craven, Jess Duffin, Isabella Eddey, Jasmine Ferguson, Jasmine Garner, Ellie Gavalas, Britt Gibson, Aileen Gilroy, Danielle Hardiman, Emma Kearney, Emma King, Mia King, Perri King, Ella Maurer, Alice O'Loughlin, Tahlia Randall, Kim Rennie, Ash Riddell, Tara Slender, Amy Smith, Sarah Wright
Recruits: Nil
Draftees: Tess Craven, Jasmine Ferguson, Perri King, Ella Maurer, Kim Rennie, Tara Slender
Inactive: Elisha King (ACL)
WHO’S WEARING WHAT? New recruits’ AFLW jumper numbers revealed
Out: Vivien Saad (Gold Coast), Jasmine Grierson (GWS), Katelyn Cox, Kate Gillespie-Jones, Georgia Hammond, Beth Lynch, Tahni Nestor (delisted)
2022 opponents: Geelong (H), Adelaide (A), GWS (H), Carlton (A), Fremantle (H), Richmond (A), Collingwood (H), Melbourne (A)
Circle it: The round seven clash against Collingwood at UTAS Stadium will pit last season's qualifying final opponents against each other again. That thriller saw the Magpies come from 14 points down at the last change to win by six points, ending the Kangaroos' season, while the Magpies also held North goalless in their round four clash.
2022 FIXTURE Check out who your club will face
Player to watch: Significant injuries have restricted Daria Bannister to 14 games in four seasons, but she showed in 2021 she is ready to explode, turning down interest from rival clubs to remain with North. A powerful forward with speed and skill, she should be a constant threat around goal for the Roos.
Best Rising Star chance: Tess Craven
2022 prediction: Coach Darren Crocker has a strong group at his disposal and the Kangaroos should be aiming to progress deep into finals in 2022. Finding a way to lift against the top teams and stop run-ons when they happen is the key. If they can do that, and continue to draw on their midfield power, the team should be able to lift itself into the top four and be in a better position to strike.
