Spinal surgery rules Mia King out of 2026 season — her second straight premiership run missed

North Melbourne midfielder Mia King, 23, had C5 and C6 vertebrae fused after a disc injury near her spinal cord, sustained in the win over Brisbane on 22–23 August. Club doctor Victoria Norbury expects King back in 2027. She missed the 2025 grand final with a PCL knee injury after playing in the 2024 flag. Two premierships, two missed from the sidelines.