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INAUGURAL North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney will continue to lead the club into its second AFLW season in 2020. The tough midfielder, who was backed in by the playing group for a second year, will be supported by newly appointed vice-captain Jas Garner and returning leaders Emma King and Britt Gibson. Kearney, who grew up in Hamilton, was eager to get stuck into the second year of her tenure as skipper. "I can't wait to start training and preparing for 2020," the 30-year-old told North Media. "I'm super excited and think that we have some great leaders in this group and throughout the team. "It isn't just us four who will be leading. Tahlia Randall and Ash Riddell have been identified as emerging leaders, and there's a host of other talent as well." READ MORE: Kearney, a former Melbourne Stars BBL player before she decided to focus on her football career, will focus on leading by example once again. "I think it's really important to be authentic, and I'm happy being myself," the three-time AFL Women's All-Australian team member said. "It's about doing all the right things on the track; so training with intensity and leading by example. "I'm a naturally shy person so for me it's about getting an understanding of the playing group and making sure that they understand who I am as a person." The 2018 AFLW best and fairest winner said the styles of the her and her fellow leadership group members were unique but also complimented each other. "All four of us are really different," she said. "Each of us brings something unique to the leadership group which is really important to be able to connect with all of the players." The Kangaroos finished third in conference A in their first AFLW season under Scott Gowans, who leads the side again in 2020. Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.

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