ON AND off the AFLW field, Jasmine Garner is all the better for having Jenna Bruton in her life.

Bruton will play her 100th game this Saturday when North Melbourne plays Carlton in a qualifying final.

While Garner and Ash Riddell are the biggest names in the Kangaroos' midfield, Bruton has also been a constant.

Get two NAB AFLW qualifying final games for the price of one at Saturday’s Ikon Park double-header! Geelong takes on Melbourne, before North Melbourne hosts Carlton. All spectators need a ticket - adults $15, kids under 15 free. Get your tickets here 

Garner and Bruton have also been partners for more than a decade.

"It's players like Jenna who fly under the radar every week and do their role, it allows players like myself and Ash to go out and do what we do," Garner said at Wednesday's finals launch in Melbourne.

"We're going to celebrate Jenna really big this weekend. I know at training (on Thursday) we have a lot planned for her.

Jenna Bruton during round eight between North Melbourne and Sydney at Arden Street Ground, October 4, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

"If there's (someone) I know, Jenna loves a big final and she loves Ikon Park, so I reckon she's going to put on a show for us."

Garner, Riddell and Bruton have all been prominent again this season as North tries to become the first AFLW team to pull off three-straight premierships.

After Riddell won last year's league best-and-fairest award, there is speculation again about whether this might be Garner's turn. 

Garner has done everything - two flags at North and eight All-Australian selections - except win the top individual league winner.

Typical of Garner, she could not care less.

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"I'm not too bothered about it - it's the three-peat I'm after," she said, deferring to Geelong's Georgie Prespakis and Gold Coast's Charlie Rowbottom.

Garner, Prespakis and Melbourne captain Kate Hore feature on a mural that has been painted outside Richmond train station for the finals.

But at Wednesday's launch, it was not quite complete - Prespakis lacked teeth and Hore was headless. Only Garner's likeness had been finished.

"We'll take it - you take any signs," Garner said when asked it that might be a finals omen.

Jasmine Garner during the AFLW Finals Launch, November 4, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

"We like the signs at North."

Emma Kearney will remain out of action on Saturday as she recovers from the hamstring injury the Kangaroos great suffered on October 4, during her 100th game.

Garner is confident Kearney will play a role during this finals series.

"We just know she plays big games in big finals," Garner said.

"It has been quite challenging for her. Obviously she's had quite a bit of time in rehab over the last few years, but she's so diligent in what she does."