The North Melbourne icon has forged a career laden with a best-and-fairest, three premierships and a staggering eight all-Australian blazers. But the 36-year-old might still feel a pang of regret after missing the first representative match the women's game has seen for nearly 10 years. The move has fuelled renewed retirement speculation, but Kearney's Kangaroos teammate and fellow eight-time all-Australian Jasmine Garner is more circumspect. But far from winding down, Kearney's decision to sit out Saturday's international clash was all about keeping her fresh for future fixtures. It will be hard for Kearney and Garner's North Melbourne to improve come AFLW season, having not dropped a single game in 2025 to become the competition's only consecutive premiers.