- AFLW is celebrating launching its 10th season
- Brought in big guns to replicate an historic moment
- Things didn’t go quite to plan
This year’s AFLW campaign is just days away from kickoff and the league is celebrating an important milestone, but things didn’t go quite to plan at a promotional event to launch the new season on Monday.
The 2025 AFLW season will be the 10th edition of the league after it commenced in 2017, including two seasons being held in a single calendar year.
The league thought it would be apt to celebrate the first goal in AFLW history to promote this year’s action, which begins on August 14.
That was booted by veteran Jasmine Garner, who was playing for Collingwood at the time and is the current North Melbourne captain.
The league set her up 20 metres out from the goalposts at Melbourne’s Ikon Park on Monday, directly in front, with pink-coloured smoke ready to explode as she replicated that historic goal.
There was just one problem: Garner missed an absolute sitter of a shot.
The AFLW recruited veteran Jasmine Garner (pictured) to replicate the first ever goal in the league, which she booted in 2017 while playing for Collingwood
Things didn’t go quite to script, as Garner shanked the ball to the left despite having an absolute sitter of a shot to launch this year’s season
Garner’s teammates and friends in the league were quick to point out the gaffe on social media
Lining up to kick the simplest of goals with no defenders, crowd or scoreboard pressure to put her off, Garner shanked the ball to the left of the goalposts.
The vision was quickly deleted and everyone took their places again, with Garner kicking true on her second attempt and celebrating with her fellow AFLW stars.
While it is a moment the AFLW would rather didn’t happen, everything is always revealed on social media.
North Melbourne teammate Mia King couldn’t resist taking a cheap shot at Garner, commenting ‘second time lucky’ on an Instagram post of the successful kick.
Garner replied by tagging King and posting a shushing face emoji.
Sports journalist Marnie Vinall also brought up the miss on TikTok, asking Garner if she got the kick on her ‘first go?’.
And Carlton star Darcy Vescio asked Garner on Instagram if there were any outtakes from the promotion.
‘First go,’ Garner replied.
A second take was set up and Garner nailed it, celebrating with AFLW stars as pink smoke exploded into the air
The stunt was held to promote this year’s AFLW season, which kicks off when Collingwood and Carlton clash on Thursday night
‘None,’ the AFLW social media account added.
Pointing out that even the greats are human, Vescio replied: ‘you kick ’em when it counts’.
Garner said the 10th season was a momentous occasion for the league and she 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,’ she said.
‘There have been some good moments along the way and I’m really proud that I can represent the competition alongside the other players.
‘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.’