While technically, Kearney and the Kangaroos have to wait for the player movement window to open, Kearney has nominated the team as her club of choice.

“It was quite an easy decision and I feel like Arden St is sort of my home and I’m really excited to be here,” she said.

“It’s always a bit different putting on a different guernsey but I think the vertical stripes is quite nice and slimming and it’s quite exciting to wear the colours.”

Last month she claimed the AFLW Premiership with the Western Bulldogs, where she was also named the Bulldogs Best and Fairest.

Her list of achievements in 2018 doesn't stop there as she was also named the AFLCA MVP and was selected as an All-Australian for the second-straight year.

The 28-year-old is already thinking big for North’s inaugural year.

“The ultimate is winning a premiership but for me, it's developing that list that we have and forming a really good group and growing from there," Kearney said.

“Being the first one to sign with North, it sort of takes the pressure off the other girls if they’re still deciding what club to play for and I’m hoping that we can build a good list for 2019 and I’m really confident that we will.”

Kearney has ties to North which stretch back to her days setting up the local all-girls Auskick program and working as a teacher at Mount Alexander Primary. 

The Kangaroos also entered into a partnership with Melbourne University Women's Football Club almost a decade ago. 

Kearney plays the off-seasons at the club alongside a number of Bulldog teammates and has collected five Best & Fairest awards, was captain in 2014 & 2015, and co-captain in 2016 & 2017. 

She has also been named as the sport and recreation coordinator within North's not-for-profit education arm, The Huddle.