CAVENDISH export, Emma Kearney, created history with her sixth AFL Women’s (AFLW) All-Australian (AA)  selection on Tuesday night.

The North Melbourne captain has shown no signs of slowing down, becoming the only player to gain selection in the team each season since its inaugural season six years ago with Kearney also named captain of the AA team for the first time.

Kearney was named AA vice-captain in 2020 with this year’s selection her first time as skipper of the team.

The 32-year-old said she was proud to receive the honour of captaining the team of the year.

“It is a huge honour, when I was younger I never thought of myself as a leader,” she said.

“I am naturally quite shy and introverted, so didn’t really see myself as a leader, but as I’ve grown and developed, particularly since being at North Melbourne, I have grown into my leadership.

“I am super proud obviously and super thrilled for all the other girls named in the side.

“Obviously (I am) really privileged to lead such a really skillful and great group of women.”

It is Kearney’s first selection as a defender after shifting positions for the 2022 season after playing her career in the midfield up until this point.

Kearney said the support she had got helped her reach these great heights within the sport.

“Thank you to the North Melbourne Football Club for everything they’ve done for me over the journey,” she said,

“(To) all my friends and my partner Kate for all their support along the way, I can’t be the person and the player I am without their support.”

Kearney is set to pull on the blue and white stripes once again next season with the new season expected to start later this year.