North Melbourne Kangaroos AFLW star Emma Kearney has strengthened her Shinboner ties by joining Alastair Clarkson's AFL coaching unit on a full-time basis.
The six-time All-Australian has carved out her place as one of the genuine titans of the Women's competition, winning league best and fairest honours in 2018.
Per reports from News Corp, Kearney will commence her new role as North's development coach and player development co-ordinator within the men's program at the completion of the Roos' AFLW season.
As a trained educator, having worked with the club's Huddle community program, the 33-year-old contended that her strengths in the classroom would translate to the locker room.
โI was really keen to look at the holistic development of the players,โ Kearney toldย The Herald Sun.ย
โMaybe on-field there'll be some development coaching there, with the younger players, but that off-field education too about career planning, what's life look like outside of footy. I've got a good perspective being a semi-professional athlete that young boys go from playing football as their outlet to then it's full time.
โSometimes the mental struggles that come with that can be quite significant for young people.
โThat's what I was really passionate about. I could see a real gap in the development of younger players at North, so that was something that really appealed to me.โ
Speaking on the groundbreaking hire, Clarkson spoke glowingly of Kearney, stressing that the premiership player had a strong role to play in season 2023.
โThe role will allow Emma to combine her two passions, football and education,โ the returning Roo said.
โHer knowledge of the game teamed with her experience as an educator will be invaluable to our men's program.
โEmma's playing career speaks for itself, and it goes without saying she is already greatly respected by our playing group and football staff.โ
Ahead of the official commencement of the men's pre-season program, Kearney will have her blinkers on in an effort to bring a fifth premiership trophy back to Arden Street.
The Kearney-led Kangaroos will take on Richmond at a sold-out Punt Road on Saturday afternoon, with the winner to progress through to face Melbourne in a do-or-die preliminary final date.
