The Brisbane Lions' bid for back-to-back AFLW premierships was brought undone by the best football the competition has ever seen, in the eyes of its most successful coach.
Craig Starcevich got his Lions to a sixth grand final from a possible eight in good shape to defend last year's flag.
But they were blown away by North Melbourne early in Saturday night's decider, unable to recover after conceding the opening three goals as Kangaroos star Jasmine Garner and captain Emma Kearney ran riot.
"What I saw in the first half today was the best footy I've ever seen in AFLW," Starcevich said after his side's 5.9 (39) to 1.3 (9) defeat.
"We were on the receiving end, trying to just keep our heads above water to be competitive, but they were awesome, the Kangas.
"Their pressure and their quick-decision ball-use was phenomenal, so it was very difficult to hang on."
Trailing by 17 points at half-time, Brisbane kept North scoreless in the third quarter.
But they only managed one behind themselves in the arm-wrestle and the dam wall broke in the final term as the Kangaroos kicked clear.
The final margin was the second-biggest in AFLW grand final history, capping North's unbeaten season.
The Lions' only goal came via a down-field free kick paid to Ellie Hampson before quarter-time.
"We kept them scoreless in the third quarter and it was like, all you need is one (goal) here," Starcevich said.
"If you can get the one and get within 11 points, it's game on.
"But the heartbreaker comes in the last quarter when they get out beyond four goals and that's where it becomes really hard."
North Melbourne became the fourth consecutive AFLW team to win the premiership after losing the previous season's grand final.
Starcevich backed his side to bounce back next year - as they did last season following grand final heartbreak in 2022 - but tipped it would be harder than ever in an increasingly competitive league.
"We start every pre-season campaign with the aim of winning a flag, but before you win a flag you've got to get to a grand final," Starcevich said.
"To actually get there the amount of times we have is enormous for our program and our club and the character of our players.
"But it's a bitter one to have to swallow and it's such a long road to get back there now.
"I think our competition is batting pretty deep now ... it's going to be harder and harder to win, so we just have to keep getting better."
