Background
North Melbourne entered the 2025 season as the reigning premiers, having defeated Brisbane by 30 points in the 2024 grand final. The Kangaroos dominated throughout the 2025 season, going undefeated through the home-and-away season to finish with a 12–0 record and win the club's second minor premiership. The club became the first male or female VFL/AFL team to win 24 consecutive games following their 49-point over Hawthorn in round 12. [1] They then held the Hawks goalless in a 39-point win in the first qualifying final before overcoming a narrow three-quarter deficit to defeat Melbourne by 10 points in the first preliminary final. [2] This was North's third successive grand final, having lost to the Lions in 2023 and defeating them in 2024.
Brisbane came into 2025 off the back of a top-four finish the previous season, which culminated in defeat to the Kangaroos in the grand final. Despite losing three matches at home this season, the Lions again comfortably qualified for a top-four position, finishing third on the ladder with a 9–3 record at the end of the home-and-away season. The club faced Melbourne as the away side in the second qualifying final and defeated the Demons by 13 points, with back-to-back majors from Ally Anderson and Lily Postlethwaite in the final quarter sealing the victory. [3] This guaranteed them the McClelland Trophy as the best performed club across both the men's and women's competitions for the respective seasons. [4] They then hosted Carlton in the second preliminary final and won by 35 points, with a six-goal third quarter from the home team proving to be the difference between the sides. [5]
North Melbourne was aiming for its second AFLW premiership following its victory in 2024 and maiden grand final in 2023, while Brisbane, who was making its seventh appearance in a grand final, was seeking to equal Adelaide's league-leading three premierships following premierships in 2021 and 2023. The winner of the match will become the first side in league history to claim back-to-back premierships. The two sides met once during the home-and-away season, with North Melbourne recording a comfortable 29-point victory at Brighton Homes Arena. [6]
Bookmakers heavily favoured North Melbourne to win the grand final; on the Monday before the game the Kangaroos were $1.13 favorites compared to Brisbane who were distant $5.75 outsiders. [7]
The league determined the match would be played at 7.45pm local time, which replicated the nighttime timeslot first used in 2024. [8] General manager of women's football Emma Moore confirmed Ikon Park would be host all Victorian-based finals and the grand final following a rebuffed request from Melbourne to play their home qualifying final at Casey Fields. [9] As the highest-placed winners to reach the final, North Melbourne were the home team and thus the game was held at Ikon Park.
Entertainment
Electronic band Peking Duk will perform the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment, featuring guest artists Keli Holiday, Ben Woolner, Kye and Lucy Lucy. Singer, songwriter and actress Bonnie Anderson will sing the Australian national anthem. [10]
The Telstra Half-Time Sprint lineup was announced on Friday November 28. [11] It features AFLW players Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Georgie Prespakis (Geelong), Lucy Single (Gold Coast), Molly O'Hehir (Melbourne), Zippy Fish (Sydney), Ella Roberts (West Coast), Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs) and a wildcard entry, netballer Jo Weston (Australian Diamonds, Melbourne Vixens).
All times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (GMT +11)
Medal and cup presenters
The 2025 AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador was women's football pioneer and Australian Football Hall of Fame member Debbie Lee, who will deliver the cup onto the ground pre-match. Kangaroos foundation player Nicole Bresnehan or inaugural Lions player Kate Lutkins will present the cup to the winning coach and captain in the post-match presentation.
The medal for the winning coach will be presented by inaugural AFLW Premiership coach Bec Goddard OAM. The Best on ground medal will be awarded by AFL Commissioner Simone Wilkie AO to the player judged best on ground. A medal will be awarded to the premiership captain for the first time in the AFLW, and it will be presented by three-time AFLW premiership star Erin Phillips. [12]
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