Emma’s jumping for joy

THE AFLW is on the right track, says Kangaroos skipper Emma Kearney, who comes to town this weekend to take on the Crows. Kearney says the new sides in the comp this year fill her with hope.

THE immediate competitiveness from several of the AFLW expansion clubs has surprised league star Emma Kearney, but proves the competition is on the right track.

North Melbourne’s captain conceded with the addition of four teams in 2020 — Gold Coast, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast — she feared it would lead to a host of lopsided results. However after witnessing first-hand the fight the newest clubs are armed with last weekend, Kearney has no doubt the future is bright for the women’s game.

The Roos had to dig deep to hold off a gallant Suns outfit last weekend, with Kearney leading from the front at Arden Street after the visitors had closed to within four points in the final quarter.

It came as the Eagles notched their first win last weekend and followed St Kilda’s Round 3 upset of Melbourne, who defeated North in the opening round.

“When you are trying to build fan bases for the competition but also for new clubs it is really good when you can put in some competitive results,” Kearney said ahead of the blockbuster clash against Adelaide at North Hobart Oval on Sunday.

“We saw West Coast win their first game at home on the weekend, St Kilda have knocked off Melbourne but they have also had some close games against top teams.

“It is really promising because going into the season my concern was the expansion teams may struggle a little bit.

“They have blown my expectations and they are really challenging teams, it is a really positive thing for the competition. The more exposure we can get the better the competition is going to be.

“We are seeing more and more girls playing the game and entering more teams into the competition, it means more players at the elite standard are getting exposed to better coaching, better fitness staff, all the stuff that will make them better players.”

North enters Saturday unbeaten on Tasmanian soil and riding a four-match streak, and Kearney said last weekend’s arm wrestle against the Suns will hold them in good stead against the reigning premiers.

“We got tested again against a very physical Gold Coast and are expecting another good contest against Adelaide, but we are confident going into this game. With the nature of the competition, every game is crucial to all clubs.”