North Melbourne’s fit-again midfielder Mia King has missed out on an AFLW grand final recall after coach Darren Crocker opted against taking a risk at selection.
King has been sidelined with a knee injury since Round 9 but was passed fit earlier this week and had pushed for inclusion in Saturday night’s decider against fellow heavyweights the Brisbane Lions.
But Crocker has instead opted to continue with the team that overpowered Melbourne in a tight preliminary final last week.
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The Lions are also unchanged after their commanding win over Carlton.
Tough on-baller King starred against Brisbane in last year’s grand final and was a key figure in the Kangaroos’ record-breaking winning streak before she was hurt last month.
The 24-year-old has been named as one of North’s three emergencies.
“It’s a really difficult situation,” Crocker said on SEN before making the selection call following his team’s final training session.
“Unfortunately for Mia, it will be 50 days on Saturday since she played a half of footy.
“And really, two and a half weeks ago you probably would’ve been putting red ink through it.
“But she’s done a remarkable job in the last two and a half weeks to get herself up and get herself into the frame.
“I’m really proud of her with how she’s carried herself and given herself every opportunity.”
Brisbane had a full squad available for selection and will be unchanged in the decider, having won nine consecutive games since being beaten by North Melbourne in round five.
“Their form’s been really good and they’ve got a full squad to pick from, so they’re nice and healthy,” Crocker said.
“You probably take bits and pieces out of what’s worked in the past against them and whether they throw some different looks at us come Saturday night.
“But I feel like we’re pretty well planned and prepared.”
The Kangaroos’ winning streak stands at 26 matches as they eye back-to-back flags in the third consecutive grand final meeting between the sides.
“Complacency and ego are the two things that can get you when you’re on a streak like we’ve been on and you’ve had some success,” Crocker said.
“But there’s been no signs of that creeping in whatsoever.”
Crocker on Thursday continued minor premier North Melbourne’s dominance of this year’s major individual awards, named AFL Coaches Association coach of the year for the second straight season.
It follows star midfielder Ash Riddell winning the AFLW best-and-fairest and AFLCA champion player of the year, while fellow gun Jasmine Garner was named the AFL Players Association MVP and All-Australian captain.