by Against the last three AFLW premiers in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, North Melbourne won just twice in 16 tries. Even worse, they have only beaten Melbourne once in nine games. Going into their qualifying final against the Volunteers, they had an exceptional record of 37 wins from 42 games against 14 teams. But there is no foregone conclusion, and even the most optimistic Kangaroos fans could not have confidently predicted a win.
It was hailed as their biggest win to date – a 41-point demolition of the Demons to clinch a home opener. The clear improvement that came from a team effort that has been building for a long time.
When the Roos entered the competition in the first expansion round in 2019, their list of players set expectations soaring. They welcomed Collingwood stars Jasmine Garner and Emma King, and Western Bulldogs premiership players Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton.
Related: From Tipperary to Geelong: Irish players taking the AFLW by storm | Jack Snape
In their first season, a controversial conference system split the competition in half, with the top two from each advancing to the finals. The Roos’ record would have placed them third on a traditional ladder, but the imbalance of the conferences meant they missed out on all the finals.
Despite putting up formidable opposition since then, North Melbourne have failed to match the established rivals. They have qualified for the finals in every season but have failed to reach the final.
To look at their inaugural list, it is remarkable that the Kangaroos have managed to keep their senior core together as the league has grown from 10 to 18 clubs. It speaks to the group’s belief in what they can still achieve.
First-time captain Kearney has also been embedded in North Melbourne’s senior program as a development coach, giving her constant exposure to world-class football, and she will have brought strength back to the team she will lead.
Midfielders Garner, Bruton and Ash Riddell are perhaps most notable for their success and potential. An undisputed star, Garner earned her third AFL Coaches Association player of the year award. She ended up with the best and fairest award of the series, although that could change at Monday’s W Awards.
As a midfielder, Garner does it all. Her awareness of the game allows her to find space to clear the ball with ease, hand-deliver it to teammates, push it forward or do the job herself. Many teams have tried hard on her, with varying results. Meg Macdonald from Richmond in round 10 last season was one of the most impressive. She held Garner to five disposals and no clearances in the first half, the game ended in a tie and as a result the Roos missed out on the top four.
But focusing on Garner is opening your team up to other problems. Two-time All-Australian Riddell has averaged more than 30 disposals this season, often teaming up with Garner to duck and weave, bringing pace and agility to the midfield. Then there’s Mia King, who doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty in the competition, averaging a career-best of more than nine tackles a game this year.
Related: Geelong to do it early to pass the toughest AFLW yet | Danielle Croci
Despite their increased depth, the Kangaroos’ head-to-head win against the Volunteers two weeks ago was based on the buy-in of every player. Almost every time a Melbourne player gained possession, the Kangaroos would swoop to ensure the opposition couldn’t deploy their handball game. They set the second most tackles (104) on record. Forward Tahlia Randall, who overcame her marker in Libby Birch to kick three goals, confirmed they were targeting triple figures. Kearney put her intensity down to extra running sessions and the skills of the young players over the winter.
Down the other side, Sarah Wright and Jasmine Ferguson set up a wall. Despite Melbourne registering two more inside-50s than North Melbourne for the game, they scored just nine points to the North’s 50. This consistent intensity was missing in losses to Adelaide and Brisbane earlier in the season, when they were comfortably two up before being run out. the last minutes.
A week off will allow North Melbourne to recharge, but Adelaide knows all about the final push, having won four of their last five games. The Crows kept their triple-premiership midfield largely intact, with physicality and precision in Anne Hatchard, who last weekend had a record 36 disposals and two goals, and Ebony Marinoff. One of them is likely to be a tag, although the Kangaroos’ game plan must allow for adaptation. In last weekend’s semi-final Sydney’s Tania Kennedy targeted Marinoff in the first half and then Hatchard in the last quarter, which was far too late.
The Crows have plenty to play for in terms of selection. Little starter Jess Waterhouse was sidelined for the qualifying final, but bounced back last weekend to score two goals. Continuing this combination of heights in their forward line could help the Crows deal with North Melbourne’s defensive wall.
Last season, much of what is written here could be said about Melbourne as they went on to win their first premiership. Could North Melbourne climb the same mountain?
