Melbourne are again on high of the AFLW ladder after claiming an exhilarating 23-point win over fellow premiership contenders North Melbourne.
Finishing with 4 unanswered objectives, the defending premiers continued their successful methods in opposition to the Kangaroos with a 5.7 (37) to 2.2 (14) victory at Ikon Park on Saturday.
In the seven matches between the 2 groups, North have solely received the primary assembly in 2019.
“In this competition, you don’t get the opportunity to play against really quality teams on a regular basis so sometimes it can give you a false sense of where you’re at,” Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker mentioned.
“We didn’t bring the best version of our footy tonight and that is the most disappointing thing.
“That’s not the true North Melbourne and the way in which we wish to go about our footy.
“But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. I don’t think anything needs to change majorly.”
Vice-captain Tyla Hanks (one aim, 26 disposals) placed on a masterclass for the Demons in midfield, alongside Olivia Purcell (28 disposals, 5 clearances) and Blaithin Mackin (21, 4).
True to type, Kangaroos skipper Emma Kearney (six intercept marks) was a brick wall in defence, whereas Ash Riddell (31 disposals) labored tirelessly across the ball.
Unsung hero Shelley Heath was sensational in a tough tag position in opposition to Jasmine Garner, limiting the league best-and-fairest favorite to a season-low two clearances and no objectives.
Dogged by gradual begins since their round-four loss to the Brisbane Lions, second gamer Niamh Martin sparked North with the game-opening aim to set the tone.
Casey Sheriff levelled scores after being gifted 50 metres from a marking encroachment, however it might solely take three minutes for Tess Craven to grab again the one-goal benefit by quarter time.
Looking sure to create a bigger lead, Amy Smith was stopped brief by an outstanding Maeve Chaplin smother.
Melbourne skipper Kate Hore plucked the Sherrin out of the air regardless of a heavy Kangaroo defensive presence, slotting via her seventeenth aim of the season to place the Dees forward.
Ruck Georgia Campbell then doubled down for Melbourne along with her first-ever AFLW aim to depart them 9 factors forward at halftime.
Another spectacular mark by Hore led to the Demons’ third aim, with Hanks slotting the one main of the third time period.
With the Kangaroos’ sport plan tumbling below Melbourne stress, the league’s present main goalkicker Eden Zanker put boot to ball within the ultimate quarter to register her 18th aim of the season and seal the win.
With two rounds left, Melbourne (7-1) tackle Thirteenth-placed Fremantle earlier than ending the home-and-away season in opposition to fourth-placed Brisbane.
North Melbourne (6-2) tackle fellow premiership hopefuls Adelaide, adopted by a gathering in opposition to the winless Western Bulldogs.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
