AFLW Grand Final: North Melbourne Coach Darren Crocker Reflects on the Difficult Decision to Omit Mia King

Tough Grand Final Selection Decision

North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker described the decision to leave star midfielder Mia King out of Saturday’s AFLW Grand Final as one of the hardest conversations of his career. King, a key contributor throughout the season, missed selection due to strategic choices aimed at balancing the team’s structure and readiness for the match.

“It was an incredibly difficult call,” Crocker said. “Mia has been fantastic all year, but we had to make choices we believed gave us the best mix for the grand final.”

Balancing Team Needs and Emotions

Crocker acknowledged the emotional weight of omitting a player of King’s caliber, emphasizing her professionalism in handling the news and her supportive attitude toward teammates. He praised her for staying engaged in team preparations despite the disappointment.

“She’s the ultimate teammate,” he added. “Even after hearing the news, Mia continued to encourage and support everyone around her.”

Looking Ahead

While King did not feature in the grand final lineup, Crocker expressed confidence in her future contributions, noting that decisions like these are part of the difficult dynamics of elite sport. He reiterated that King remains central to the club’s long-term plans.

“Moments like these reveal character,” he said. “Mia has shown immense maturity, and we know she’ll come back even stronger.”

Author’s summary: Coach Darren Crocker opened up about the emotional and strategic challenge of omitting Mia King from North Melbourne’s AFLW grand final lineup, praising her resilience and team spirit.

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SportsWire on MSN SportsWire on MSN — 2025-11-28

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