RENEE Tierney only knows how to win.
Since the start of 2024, she has won three consecutive flags – two with North Melbourne Werribee in the VFLW, and in March added an NTFL premiership with PINT.
And the intention is to keep adding to the tally.
“That’s the goal, back-to-back-to-back. I think a threepeat (with the Roos) would be unreal and unheard of, and it’s definitely what I’m striving for,” Tierney told AFL.com.au.
“Everyone’s joking about it, but that’s definitely where our ambitions lie, and to get better as people, but also to try and have that success as well again at North.
“I’m very lucky, very lucky, to have played in such good teams, and I think just at the core of it has been playing with really good people, and just a group of people that actually just happen to be good footballers, and get to enjoy our time together.”
With the VFLW season window pushed back to a May start this year, Tierney was one of 17 players to take time out of their pre-season preparations to take part in the NTFL’s season.
For Tierney, it was a friend who lived up in Darwin who drew her to the league. It took a few years to get her over the line, but once the decision was made, it proved to be a good one.
“I wasn’t keen to play so much, and I just wasn’t really sure about it. Then, I don’t know, post the VFLW win last year I just had this moment of ‘Well, why the hell not?’” Tierney explained.
“We play VFLW for the glory, we don’t do it for the money, and we don’t do it for all the other stuff. So, I thought, why not just go somewhere else and try and have that same sort of satisfaction of just going up and enjoying it?”
Tapping into the community’s buy-in to their family clubs in the NT was something Tierney loved, while still playing at a high standard of footy.
“It’s just such a different culture… it’s just more of the community vibe. Everyone plays at a club, or supports a club, and then everyone is together after the game, or the men’s team’s playing after so everyone stays around and watches,” Tierney said.
“It was more so just the way that it’s such a part of their way of life, to be surrounded by footy all the time, and the way that their clubs are together all the time. So, that was probably the most interesting part for me.”
Her turn as a PINT premiership player is not the only footy Tierney is hoping to get under her belt before the VFLW kicks off on May 16.
She is one of eight Roos named in the 2026 Smithy’s VFLW State Team squad as the Big V looks for back-to-back wins over the SANFLW during the AFL’s Gather Round.
Tierney didn’t make it into the squad last year but is now a good chance of running out in the famous guernsey as part of the double-header with the men’s game on Saturday, April 11.
“It would be pretty cool to be able to play with all of the best players in the comp,” Tierney said.
“I would love the opportunity if it is there. Obviously, there’s an extensive selection process, but definitely something I’m striving to be in.”