BIRCH: The moment I knew we were ready to win the flag

Absolutely loved reading this on AFL website.  A beautiful insight into the mindset of an AFL player, team and club.  Libby has herself been a huge addition to the MFC several years ago. Libby - We Love You.  A true believer in the people and the community of a footy club.  

Great player. And yes a very good article.

💔💔💔💔💔💔miss Libby in red and blue 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
 

'Reinvigorated' Roo on shock move, pre-season setbacks, facing her Demons

Libby Birch says North's disciplined defence and the chance for more premiership success was appealing in her decision to join the Kangaroos

By Sarah Black

 

Libby Birch poses during North Melbourne's 2024 team photo day at Arden Street. Picture: AFL Photos

IT WAS the shock move of the 2023 AFLW trade period.

Unbeknownst to the football public, Melbourne premiership defender Libby Birch was at a juncture in her career, and had a number of keen suitors.

Hawthorn was among the interested sides, keen to add some experience to its young group.

Then only a few days after a Grand Final loss, with a side already packed with stars, North Melbourne pounced.

The Roos' notoriously disciplined system-based defence – and the chance for further premiership success – appealed to the tenacious competitor.

"I had been given an amazing opportunity at the Dees after coming across from the Western Bulldogs, to come to a side with my best mate Daisy Pearce and play with her again, and to play with some players I had played with at Darebin Falcons," Birch told AFL.com.au.

"I was really excited about the potential of a new journey, and from the bottom of my heart, I saw some incredible chances at North Melbourne to have a real impact and be part of a side that was again chasing premiership glory.

But number one, it was how do I get better as a player? I've been in the system for eight years now, and I wanted to grow as a player, as a person and as a leader again, and this new challenge, being uncomfortable again, has almost reinvigorated my career.

"One of the things that really excited me was the fact I could train against Tahlia Randall, Kate Shierlaw and Emma King, who I've had some fierce battles with in the past. I've loved the fact I could train against them the entire pre-season. There's no doubt the AFLW is absolutely flying. It's getting better and better, and you need to individually lift as a player."

I don't know if she was carrying an injury last year but she looked very slow in her last few games fof Melbourne.

 

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

miss Libby in red and blue

Nah...

Yeah nah.

I don't 

Excuse ignorance but who is Libby Birch?? OH just read previous posts! Ok

Edited September 16, 20241 yr by picket fence

3 hours ago, demonglory said:

I don't 

I'm not familiar with the circumstances of her departure but it was obvious yesterday that there is no love lost there. I didn't realise there was bad blood.

A positive of her departure is we didn't have her as an on-ground announcer for our home games this season. She used to shout through the microphone.

Never heard of her.