2025 AFLW grand final LIVE: Keli Holiday, Peking Duk on fire in the build-up to the big game

1 hour ago 1

Key posts

1 of 1

7.27pm

‘Tell me to retire’: How a football legend broke her own promise

By Hannah Kennelly

North Melbourne star Emma Kearney recalls playing football at Melbourne University more than a decade ago, facing off against women’s football legend Debbie Lee, who was then in her late 30s.

“I said to my teammates, ‘If I’m still playing then, tell me to retire’,” she joked.“Here I am, 36 [years old] and still playing. I understand why [Debbie] was still playing. It’s such a great game. I love it.”

It’s no surprise that Kearney, now a legend of the women’s game, herself, broke her own promise. She’s still supremely fit, notwithstanding a calf injury that delayed her start to the 2025 season, and plays a critical role in the record-breaking North Melbourne team that is gunning for back-to-back premierships in tonight’s grand final.

Kearney, by her own admission, thrives on the pressure of big games. So, will this grand final be the ultimate swansong – a full stop on a glittering career that (so far) spans 10 seasons, two premierships and eight All-Australian selections?

Click here to read the story.

7.21pm

What a huge night ahead

There’s been a huge win for AFLW fans who lobbed early for tonight’s granny – there was a Bunnings sausage sizzle on the go outside Ikon Park.

Is there a better smell in the world for snag lovers?

The Kangaroos fans dominated the BBQ line-up, and it is safe to say they will have a majority presence at the ground.

A quick glance around the stands suggests it would be six to one in favour of the blue and white.

High-ranking AFL official Laura Kane was at the ground early – a good 90 minutes before the start of play. She resisted the urge to join the Bunnings queue.

The ground looks to be in immaculate condition, despite this morning’s rain, and our AFLW insider says players should be able to hold their feet well.

They did not have an issue during their main warm-up sessions, flicking the Sherrins around in a fashion that suggested they stayed dry.

There is still some low, grey cloud hovering about, but nothing more than a sprinkle of rain expected.

All in all, this game should be a cracker.

In my mind, the team that has the tougher passage through the preliminary finals wins the big one – North Melbourne.

7.19pm

Peking Duk rock the grand final

7.15pm

Tonight’s weather

Peking Duk are firing out their hits from the centre square.

It might be a little cool as Adam Hyde (aka Keli Holiday) has added a Lions jumper over the top of his white singlet. Not to be outdone, Reuben Styles has donned the Roos guernsey.

7.11pm

‘Tough, resilient’: Lions are enjoying the underdog tag

Lions coach Craig Starcevich expects his players will relish their underdog status in the grand final as they seek to upset the powerful North Melbourne machine.

On a remarkable 26-game winning streak, the Kangaroos start as hot favourites at Ikon Park in their attempt to become the first team in the history of the women’s competition to win back-to-back flags.

Lions coach Craig Starcevich gave the Kangaroos the highest of praise.

Their record-breaking run includes three wins over the Lions by an average margin of 34 points since their last defeat – which was against the same opponents in the 2023 grand final.

The Lions’ third consecutive decider against North is their seventh grand final in the competition’s 10 seasons, as they aim for a third premiership.

“We’ve been underdogs for 10 years, so it’s not new ground for us,” Starcevich said.

“Our group love being told they can’t do stuff, so we’ll see what happens in terms of their response.

“We’ve got a pretty tough, resilient group that love these sorts of challenges.”

On a nine-game winning streak of their own, the Lions have adopted the famous “if it bleeds, we can kill it” mentality – used by Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews more than two decades ago – as they seek to topple the seemingly unbeatable Kangaroos.

“[We’ve got] nothing but admiration for what North have done, clearly,” Starcevich said.

“We’ve had this train of thought before when we’ve played North, and haven’t got there.

“But I just feel, this time around... like the last nine weeks have been pretty good.

“We’ve been building nicely and looking forward to this type of challenge.”

AAP

6.59pm

Who the experts are tipping

Isabel Huntington (GWS player)

Prediction: North Melbourne by 13 points
The closeness of the prelim has only strengthened their case – they’re well and truly equipped to deal with a scare. They’re absolutely dominant, and they deserve it.
Best on ground: Eilish Sheerin (North Melbourne)

Hannah Kennelly (AFL/W reporter)

Prediction: North Melbourne by 10 points
The North juggernaut has barely stumbled all year and looks set to claim a second straight premiership. Like Melbourne during the prelim, I expect the Lions to put up a strong fight, but North are simply too good.
Best on ground: Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)

Jake Niall (chief football writer)

Prediction: North Melbourne by 20 points
The Lions will be competitive, as the Dees were, but will find it hard to go the distance against North’s engine room helmed by Jasmine Garner, the league’s premier player, and Ash Riddell.
Best on ground: Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)

Gab Pound (Carlton player)

Prediction: North Melbourne by 15 points
It’ll be a hot contest, but the Roos will pull away with sharper skills for the full four quarters and intercepting prowess.
Best on ground: Emma Kearney (North Melbourne)

Richmond’s Sarah Hosking, Port Adelaide’s Indy Tahau and Swans pair Zippy Fish and Montana Ham at the AFLW grand final.

Georgia Wareham (Australian cricketer)

Prediction: North Melbourne by 22 points
Their winning streak is remarkable. They’re by far the best team and truly deserve the cup.
Best on ground: Ash Riddell (North Melbourne)

Andrew Wu (AFL/W reporter)

Prediction: North Melbourne by 7 points
It’s fitting the two best teams of the past three seasons square off again. North comfortably beat the Lions earlier this season, but the Lions have not lost since and are in just as strong form as the undefeated reigning premiers. North’s scare last week is the perfect build-up – they’ll just sneak home in a close one.
Best on ground: Ash Riddell (North Melbourne)

6.47pm

Players want a Marvel move, but Crocker doesn’t think the time has come

By Roy Ward

North Melbourne captain Jasmine Garner wants to see the AFLW grand final moved to Marvel Stadium, but Roos coach Darren Crocker doesn’t think the competition is ready for the move just yet.

North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions will play in a third-straight grand final at Ikon Park tonight and tickets have again sold out, given the 12,500 capacity at the ageing suburban ground.

Roos star Tahlia Randall gets a kick away during the preliminary final.

A number of commentators have called out the AFL for not shifting this year’s decider to the 53,000-seat Marvel Stadium, stating the game shouldn’t be turning away any supporters from attending the biggest AFLW game of the season, and that fans would turn out in far bigger numbers to the venue with better amenities and more public transport options.

Garner was asked on Friday about her view on the issue, and she said players wanted to play on the bigger grounds at every given opportunity.

“I think we would all love to play at Marvel Stadium – watching the men on TV, you can see it is a great stadium,” Garner said.

“[But] at the same time, I know we’ll get a lot of North supporters here tomorrow night. For the time being, we love playing here.

North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker, skipper Jasmine Garner, Brisbane Lions captain Bre Koenen and coach Craig Starcevich ahead of the 2025 AFLW decider.

“But hopefully one day, we can pack out Marvel.”

Crocker cautioned against rushing to the bigger stadium, saying he loves having a capacity crowd close to his players at a venue such as Ikon Park.

“We love playing here in front of a packed stadium,” Crocker said.

“At a good, packed stadium, we have great support.

“When the game can actually justify filling Marvel Stadium, then I think that will be time to move it.

“Now, I’m not sure. But I do know the players would love to play at Marvel one day when the game can sustain filling that, and I’m sure as coaches we would love to coach there.

“Whether we can sell it out at this stage, I’m not sure.”

6.47pm

Premierships, finals appearances in AFLW

Click all to sort out the premiership winners and finals appearances individually.

6.46pm

The schedule

Here is the runsheet for the AFLW grand final tonight:

7.02pm: Pre-game entertainment: Peking Duk

7.26pm: Umpires enter the field

7.28pm: Brisbane Lions enter the field

7.31pm: North Melbourne enters the field

7.39pm: Delivery of the 2025 premiership cup by Debbie Lee

7.40pm: Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin Hunter jnr

7.41pm: National anthem, performed by Bonnie Anderson

7.43pm: The coin toss

7.45pm: The grand final commences

Half-time: The half-time Sprint

6.46pm

Good evening

G’day everyone and welcome to our live blog for tonight’s AFLW grand final.

I’m Roy Ward, and I’ll be leading the way, along with the excellent reporting and analysis from Danny Russell.

We should also give a warm shoutout to our colleague Hannah Kennelly, who has covered the full season of AFLW but is now on a family holiday that unfortunately clashed with the season-decider.

Hopefully, Hannah has found some reliable Wi-Fi while in transit and can enjoy the game.

The first bounce is set for 7.45pm (AEDT), and we will have all the action and plenty of post-game reaction too.

Enjoy the hours to come.