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If the preliminary finals were anything to go by, Sunday\u2019s grand final between North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions will be epic.<\/p>\n
The footy being played in this finals series is mind-blowing. The moments of brilliance we are seeing from players under immense pressure is extraordinary \u2013 just have another look at Anne Hatchard\u2019s soaring mark in the goal square last weekend against North.<\/p>\n
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From left: Brisbane Lions duo Jade Ellenger and Dakota Davidson, and North Melbourne\u2019s Jasmine Garner and Jenna Bruton.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Artwork: Marija Erecegova. Images: Getty Images, AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n Finals are all about winning more moments than the opposition. It\u2019s tough, it\u2019s highly contested and goals are harder to come by than in the home-and-away season.<\/p>\n There are several players that I think hold the key to cracking the game open this weekend \u2013 here they are.<\/p>\n Emma Kearney<\/strong> Tahlia Randall<\/strong> Jasmine Garner<\/strong> Jenna Bruton<\/strong> Influential Kangaroo Jenna Bruton.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n Shannon Campbell<\/strong> Dakota Davidson<\/strong> Bella Dawes<\/strong> Ellie Hampson, Jade Ellenger and Orla O\u2019Dwyer celebrate a Lions win.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\nNorth Melbourne<\/h3>\n
Fresh off her eighth consecutive All-Australian selection, Kearney has a competitive nature unlike anyone I\u2019ve ever met. If the Lions allow Kearney to play off her opponent and let the ball go over the back of the contest, she will be there to mop it up every time. Kearney is extremely influential off half-back, creating scoring chains via her lethal kick and footy IQ. The run-and-carry, handball-receive game must be stopped to put a kink in North Melbourne\u2019s back half.<\/p>\n
Arguably in some of the best form of her career, Randall\u2019s body work in isolated one-on-ones has gone to another level. Having gone head-to-head with her a few weeks ago, I know that Randall is reading the ball extremely well in the air and delivering excellent pressure at ground level. She clunked six marks in the preliminary final and is the link for North Melbourne\u2019s potent tall-forward attack alongside Kate Shierlaw. The most important match-up that the Lions need to get right is when Randall pops up in the ruck inside-50. In the first final against the Dees, she kicked two goals by shaking opposition rucks off and snapping at goal from that very position.<\/p>\n
The AFLW\u2019s coaches MVP is one of the most consistent midfielders in the competition. What makes Garner so damaging is her ability to execute effective possessions and deliver consistent clearance and metres gained numbers for her team. However, the biggest influence she\u2019s had for the Roos this season has been her ability to kick goals. When she floats inside 50 as a midfielder, Garner often has a size advantage on her midfield opponent. From 12 outings this year, Jas has kicked 11 goals. Some teams have considered different match-ups for Garner when she is inside 50, however it is more likely that Lions defenders will have license to roll off their own player to help close out the aerial contest with Garner. If Garner kicks an early goal, it\u2019ll be a tough day for the Lions.<\/p>\n
Bruton, such a classy, quiet achiever with incredible skills, is one of the best short kicks in the game. Arguably best on ground in last week\u2019s preliminary final, Bruton had her contest game at her brutal best. Bruton and Kearney were both in the 2018 Bulldogs premiership team that played against the Lions at Ikon Park. This previous experience will be a huge factor in helping to settle the Roos\u2019 midfield early in the game. If the Roos get the ball into Bruton\u2019s hands when entering inside 50, the Lions defenders will struggle to stop her elite ball use.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Brisbane Lions<\/h3>\n
A finals player. Not that it needed to be proved again, but Campbell\u2019s nerves of steel kicked in with the game-winning goal in the preliminary final. While Campbell was swung to the forward line after Dakota Davidson went down with a knee injury, I believe she will be needed down back this week to rally her troops against North\u2019s tall forwards. Campbell is a stoic defender who is a tough, intimidating player to come up against. The Lions play a back shoulder defence, so it\u2019ll be important for their midfield to put pressure on the ball carrier.<\/p>\n
Davidson is another player who is in the best form of her career. After a scare last week, Davidson has been cleared of any serious knee injury but will no doubt be heavily strapped and slightly hampered on Sunday. Having kicked a career-best 21 goals, earning her first All-Australian selection this season, Davidson\u2019s aerial work inside 50 is elite. Her contested marks have been some of the best we have seen this year. The Roos can\u2019t let Davidson run and launch at the ball, nor can they let her control the 50 with her commanding leads. Davidson is an energy barometer for the Lions.<\/p>\n
You only had to look at Dawes\u2019 face post-match to know how much another grand final berth for the Lions means to her. Ruthless at the contest, Dawes is tough and thrives in challenging moments. Every time her team needed a spark this year, Dawes has been able to lift her team with inspirational efforts. Another energiser bunny for the Lions, her craftiness around the contest and clean pick-ups at ground level are outstanding. Dawes needs to be at her intimidating best to ensure the Lions get first use at stoppages.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n