North Melbourne Advances Toward Undefeated AFLW Season
North Melbourne are just two wins away from completing an undefeated AFLW season after securing a victory against Hawthorn in the qualifying final held on Friday night. Despite struggles in their forward attack, the Roos showcased superior skill and composure across the field as they capitalized on injuries to the hard-fighting, yet outmatched Hawks.
The match, witnessed by 4,392 fans at Ikon Park in Carlton, ended with North Melbourne extending their winning streak to 25 consecutive games, dating back to last season. The final score stood at 5.12 (42) to Hawthorn’s 0.3 (3).
Game Overview and Player Highlights
- The Roos will use the upcoming week to rest and prepare for their next challenge.
- Hawthorn faces concern over injuries sustained during the match, which may affect their elimination semi-final prospects.
- North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker emphasized the team’s patience but highlighted room for improvement in forward efficiency.
“That’s probably be one area that we’ll look at,” Crocker said. “Their ability to not just defend inside the defensive 50m [arc], but also put pressure on the ball carrier - sometimes the ball carrier was under pressure and they couldn’t get the ball in the areas they wanted to. We could have been a little bit better with where we put the ball at times.”
Key Players of the Match
- North’s Standouts: Libby Birch, Jasmine Garner, Ash Riddell, Erika O’Shea
- Hawthorn’s Best: Eliza West, Laura Stone, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Aileen Gilroy
Notably, Kaitlyn Ashmore left the field in the final term due to a calf injury, while Aine McDonagh bravely continued playing despite what appeared to be a painful knee injury.
Summary
North Melbourne’s dominance and resilience have brought them close to an undefeated AFLW season, overcoming injury setbacks and showing tactical patience despite a lack of accuracy up forward.