Undefeated footy history, or three flags in 12 months? AFLW Grand Final ultimate guide

After one of the most thrilling AFLW seasons we’ve ever seen, it all comes down to this.

AFLW GRAND FINAL | NORTH MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS Saturday 7:45PM AEDT LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

North Melbourne and Brisbane will go head-to-head at Ikon Park on Saturday night, each with a massive opportunity to write their names into the history books.

For the Kangaroos, it’s a chance for redemption. A chance to finally break through for that AFLW flag that has eluded them for so long.

Kangaroos fans have been deprived of success in their men’s program for many years, but now the women’s have a golden opportunity to bring some happiness to those at Arden Street.

Not only that, it would complete an undefeated season, which nobody has ever done in the AFL or AFLW. (Collingwood in 1929 won the VFL flag after an undefeated home and away season, but lost its first final, and only got a rematch for the premiership due to the challenge rule.)

For the Lions, they are looking to become the first ever side to win back-to-back AFLW premierships, claiming a third across both the men’s and women’s competitions in 12 months.

It will be their sixth grand final appearance out of eight as they continue their exceptional run of form in the competition. The Lions have managed to shutdown external criticism and defy the trade raids to remain a powerhouse force.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 AFLW Grand Final.

WHEN IS THE AFLW GRAND FINAL AND HOW CAN I WATCH IT?

The 2024 AFLW Grand Final will be played at Melbourne’s Ikon Park from 7:45pm AEDT on Saturday November 30.

It will be broadcast live on Fox Footy (channel 504) and streamed on Kayo Sports with no ad-breaks siren-to-siren.

If you’re outside of Australia, you can watch the Grand Final as well as Fox Footy coverage and TV shows on WatchAFL.

WHO IS PLAYING IN THE AFLW GRAND FINAL?

Neither side made a change from its victorious preliminary final line-up for the Grand Final.

Remarkably the grand finalists had just one player unavailable across the two lists – Georgia Stubs at the Kangaroos.

There are five changes from last year’s Grand Final, with Libby Birch, Ruby Tripodi and Vikki Wall in for North, and Eleanor Hartill and Evie Long in for Brisbane.

Birch is attempting to become the first player across AFL or AFLW to win three flags at three different clubs, having also won with the Western Bulldogs (2018) and Melbourne (2022 season seven), both times beating Brisbane.

Kangaroos line-up

B: Sarah Wright, Jasmine Ferguson

HB: Libby Birch, Emma Kearney, Nicole Bresnehan

C: Taylah Gatt, Jasmine Garner, Amy Smith

HF: Vikki Wall, Bella Eddey, Alice O’Loughlin

F: Tahlia Randall, Kate Shierlaw

FOLL: Kim Rennie, Ash Riddell, Mia King

IC: Erika O’Shea, Ruby Tripodi, Tess Craven, Emma King, Jenna Bruton

EMG: Eliza Shannon, Niamh Martin, Lulu Pullar

Lions line-up

B: Jennifer Dunne, Shannon Campbell

HB: Natalie Grider, Breanna Koenen, Jade Ellenger

C: Orla O’Dwyer, Ally Anderson, Sophie Conway

HF: Charlotte Mullins, Courtney Hodder, Lily Postlethwaite

F: Taylor Smith, Dakota Davidson

FOLL: Tahlia Hickie, Isabel Dawes, Cathy Svarc

I/C: Poppy Boltz, Eleanor Hartill, Ruby Svarc, Evie Long, Ellie Hampson

EMG: Shanae Davison, Dee Heslop, Kate Lutkins

WHO WILL PERFORM AT THE AFLW GRAND FINAL?

The headline act for this year’s decider is two-time ARIA award-winning pop rock group Lime Cordiale.

Made up of brother duo Louis and Oli Leimbach, Lime Cordiale has amassed more than 500 million streams on Spotify, 40 million Apple Music streams and more than 30 million views on YouTube. Previously, they headlined the pre-game entertainment for the ANZAC Day match between Collingwood and Essendon in 2022.

“We’re so stoked to be turning it up under the lights at the AFL Women’s Grand Final. This event is so uniquely Aussie and it gets bigger every year. Let’s go!!,” they said.

WHO WILL PRESENT THE PREMIERSHIP CUP AND BEST-ON-GROUND MEDAL?

Women’s football icon Peggy O’Neal will present the medal to the player voted best afield in the Grand Final, while AFL Commissioner Gabrielle Trainor will present the coaches’ medals. Umpire Chelsea Roffey will present the umpires’ medals.

The best on ground voting panel is usually made up of a mixture of past players and media personalities who vote in a 3-2-1 method for the award. Last year’s winner was Lions captain Bre Koenen.

If North Melbourne prevails on Saturday night, 11-year-old Imogen Mulgrew will present the premiership cup to captain Emma Kearney and coach Darren Crocker.

Mulgrew is the Good Friday game ambassador and has left a “profound” impact on the club’s players and staff this year.

If Brisbane wins their second consecutive premiership, recently retired premiership defender Kate Lutkins will present the cup to Bre Koenen and Craig Starcevich.

Lutkins is a three-time All-Australian who played 52 games for the Lions, winning Best on Ground in the 2021 Grand Final.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER FORECAST?

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there is a very high chance of rain on Saturday in Melbourne, with heavy falls possible. Winds could get up to 25kmph in the afternoon and the maximum temperature is 22 degrees.

The AFL cannot use the roofed Marvel Stadium, which it owns, for the AFLW Grand Final because it is hosting a motocross event this weekend.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE’S A DRAW?

If scores are level at full-time:

1. Goal umpires confirm scores are identical;

2. There is a six-minute break (accredited coaches and staff are permitted to enter the playing arena during this period);

3. Teams change ends;

4. Three minutes of Additional Time shall be played, plus time-on;

5. At the end of the first Additional Time period, the siren will sound and teams will immediately change ends without a break;

6. The ball will be thrown up in the centre and a further three minutes of play (plus time-on) will commence;

7. At the conclusion of this period, the siren will sound and the team with the highest score is declared the winner;

8. If scores are still tied, steps three to eight are repeated until a result is determined.

The following shall also apply for Additional Time periods:

Interchange cap

Clubs shall receive 10 interchanges for the total two x three-minute period (excluding Medical Substitute). Any leftover interchanges from each period of Additional Time do not carry over into a subsequent period.

Runners

Runners may access the playing arena after a goal or a significant stoppage in play (eg. a stretcher is called).

Runners are also permitted to access the playing arena at the conclusion of each three-minute (plus time-on) period of Additional Time as players are changing ends.