North Melbourne AFLW coach Darren Crocker facing ‘difficult’ grand final call on fit-again Mia King

Grand Final Dilemma for Darren Crocker

North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker is facing a tough decision ahead of the AFLW grand final as midfielder Mia King returns to full fitness. Crocker admitted the selection call would be one of his most challenging yet, given the strong form of the current lineup and King’s proven quality.

“It’s pleasing to have Mia ready to go again, but it does create one of those good problems for a coach,” Crocker said. “She’s a competitor and brings great energy and strength to the midfield.”

The Roos have displayed impressive depth throughout the finals series, with several players stepping up in King’s absence. While the medical team has cleared her to play, Crocker must weigh the value of continuity against the potential impact of her return.

“You never want to disrupt team chemistry before a grand final,” he added. “We’ll make the decision that gives us the best chance to win.”

North Melbourne is aiming to secure its first AFLW premiership, and the coaching staff continues to assess both tactical balance and player readiness leading into the decider.


Author summary: Darren Crocker faces a crucial finals decision as he weighs Mia King’s return against maintaining North Melbourne’s current team balance.

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7NEWS 7NEWS — 2025-11-27

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