FORMER Cavendish local, Emma Kearney is going into her fifth season at the helm of North Melbourne’s AFL Women’s (AFLW) team, but her determination to lead her team to a premiership has not wavered.

The AFLW star has ticked off almost everything else in the game apart from winning a flag with the blue and white but was confident that 2022 could be the year of the Roo.

Despite winning a premiership with the Western Bulldogs in 2018 and in the same year receiving the AFLW league best and fairest, the hunger for another was as strong as ever.

The midfielder has been awarded All-Australian honours ever single year since the competition began notching up her fifth at the conclusion of last season – Karen Paxman (Melbourne) is the only other player to achieve the feat.

North Melbourne was a prime contender and flag favourite at the beginning of last season but struggled to gain continuity and only just snuck into the finals race after a thrilling final round win.

They met the Pies in the qualifying final and managed to take a 14-point lead into the final quarter, but a rampant performance by Collingwood saw the Roos slump to defeat.

Kearney said connection was an area of the team’s game that she thought could be the difference between just scraping into finals and going all the way.

The Roos finished the year in sixth position with a record of 6-3 and recovered well from some early losses in the season.

“I suppose it was pleasing in some aspects, like I think we saw some more improvement in some of the younger players,” Kearney said.

“Overall, we expected to go a bit deeper in finals and weren’t able to do that which was a bit disappointing … but I’m really looking forward to what the girls can produce.

“The big one is connection between all three lines that I think we really struggled with, we had a brand-new coach and a lot of COVID restrictions, so we had to train in small groups and struggled to get that connection.

“You take a lot of out your losses, probably more so than your wins, we haven’t delved into it too much, but the coaches have done a power of work and that’s probably a reflection of some of the position changes that have happened.”

Kearney said while you don’t play the game for individual accolades, it was always pleasing to know you were playing your individual role well.

She also spoke about her changing role in the side as she continued to progress through her career, now at the age of 32.

“I really pride myself on being consistent and impacting games however I can, my age isn’t really on my side at the moment, but I think the experience I can bring the team is,” Kearney said.

“It’s such a big honour being able to lead a footy club with the proud history North Melbourne has, I don’t take it lightly but also don’t try to be anyone I’m not.

“If I can help our younger players develop, feel comfortable and grow their game, then I’ve done my job.”

While North Melbourne has been handed a tough draw and will face all of the top six teams from last year across the 10-round season, Kearney expected some key position changes to work in their favour.

“I suppose the big (recruit) was Kim Rennie that we were able to get from the Bulldogs to give our ruck stocks a bit of more depth and allow Emma King to play more forward for us,” she said.

“Other positional changes we’ve decided were Tahlia Randall who had predominantly played as a defender in the past, we are looking for her to play more as a forward option.

“Some young talent like Tess Craven will be able to slot into the forward line/midfield and give us a lot more class on the outside.

“Previously we’ve probably struggled against some of the top sides, so we are really looking forward to the challenge.”

Kearney said following the changes, the side was ready and couldn’t wait to get on the park at their home ground Arden Street Oval next Saturday for their round one clash against Geelong Cats.

“We are so excited to be playing round one, it’s our first ever round one game at Arden Street, so hopefully we can get a nice crowd there and get the win against Geelong,” she said.

“We need to continue to learn what to do when we are trying to hold a lead and what to do in different situations.

“We need to be at our best and when we aren’t, we will get beaten.

“We’ve always (been striving to win a premiership) since we’ve come into the competition and that’s no different this year, that is the number one focus.”