WHEN Jasmine Garner booted the first goal in the NAB AFLW Competition back in 2017 for Collingwood in front of a lockout crowd, her name was etched into the game's records book.
Now, on the cusp of the milestone 10th season, it was only fitting for Garner – who is now the captain of the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos – to line up yet again at Ikon Park to ceremoniously kick off the official countdown to the 2025 NAB AFL Season.
Garner was joined at Ikon Park on Monday morning by five fellow inaugural players including Adelaide Crows Co-Captain and 2024 AFLW Best and Fairest, Ebony Marinoff, Carlton's Darcy Vescio, Gold Coast's Lily Mithen, Hawthorn's Kaitlyn Ashmore and Premiership Bulldog, Ellie Blackburn.
With under four weeks to go until the season gets underway on Thursday 14 August, fans don't have long to wait to witness their teams go head-to-head and get up close to all the action.
Jasmine Garner said the 10th season was a momentous occasion for the league and was honoured to be recognised for her part in the competition's history.
"I think it's a good time to reflect, I think it's pretty special to be around and still playing. There have been some good moments along the way and I’m really proud that I can represent the competition alongside the other players," Garner said.
"Being back here and thinking how far the competition has come since that night – I remember running out and it was just packed to the brim, it was so much fun and although we didn't get the result, kicking the first goal is a moment I’ll always remember."
AFLW General Manager Emma Moore said it was fantastic for the league and the W community to come together to celebrate and reflect on how the league has transformed the game since its inception.
"We're thrilled to celebrate the 10th season of AFLW this year, and recognise how far the competition has come and what is has given our game over the last nine seasons," Moore said.
"The AFLW is a remarkable story filled with passion, resilience and dedication and we thank our fans, players, clubs, community and partners for all their support, as well as NAB who has been our proud naming rights partner since day one of the competition.
"The countdown to round one is well and truly on and we look forward to seeing every fan up close and personal to the action, cheering their teams and being part of the unique atmosphere and match-day experience AFLW has to offer."
2025 marks a momentous 10th season of the NAB AFLW Competition, as the AFL celebrates how the league has transformed the game.
Since the AFLW's inception in 2017, there has been a boost in women and girls participation by nearly 200 per cent, with more than 125,000 women and girls pulling on their boots and the creation of 2,500 new teams across the country.
The competition has established itself as one of the leading women's sports in Australia after growing from eight to 18 teams and making the AFLW the biggest employee of female athletes in Australia with more than 540 players.
From grassroots to the elite, the AFL is continuing to invest in its players, coaches and talent pathways to grow the AFLW for future generations.
The 2025 NAB AFLW Season commences on Thursday August 14 with Carlton hosting Collingwood under lights at IKON Park – a nod to the first-ever AFLW match between the two teams back in 2017.
It will be the first of two matches in a big Thursday night of footy as primetime viewing stretches to the west coast, where the West Coast Eagles will take on the Gold Coast SUNS at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in Leederville.
Tickets for the 2025 NAB AFLW Season are available via Ticketmaster for all venues, except Manuka Oval (GWS GIANTS) and People's First Stadium (Gold Coast SUNS), which are available via Ticketek.
