North Melbourne is surging in the direction of its first AFLW minor premiership after thumping Essendon by 51 factors.
The Kangaroos held the Bombers scoreless for nearly a half of their first AFLW assembly to arrange an 8.10 (58) to 1.1 (7) win at Windy Hill on Sunday.
Final yr’s runners-up to the Brisbane Lions, the undefeated Kangaroos stay atop the ladder by two factors with eight wins and one draw.
Kate Shierlaw (three objectives) fashioned a devastating attacking partnership with Tahlia Randall (two), whereas ball magnets Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell dominated with 23 disposals every.
Essendon, who sit in eighth place by share, should win its ultimate two matches if it desires to safe a finals spot.
Alongside Maddy Prespakis (28 disposals), Maddi Homosexual starred within the under-siege Bombers defence and led the match with 30 touches and 10 intercept possessions.
Shierlaw struck first for the Kangaroos with the opening two objectives earlier than Vikki Wall fired for a 21-point lead in opposition to a scoreless Bombers at quarter-time.
Such was the guests’ dominance within the first time period that the Bombers failed to attain a single inside-50 entry.
It was Randall’s flip to shine up entrance within the second time period and he or she kicked two objectives to assist construct a lead of 41 factors, earlier than a wayward set-shot from Brooke Walker gave the Bombers their first rating as half-time loomed.
Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood had the very best probability at slotting a serious however despatched her after-the-siren shot huge, lacking the sticks fully.
The hosts have been in a position to restrict the Kangaroos to only two behinds within the third quarter however couldn’t transfer the ball into their forward-50
Toogood then kicked actually within the fourth time period to lastly carry the Bombers and their devoted some reward in entrance of purpose earlier than Garner and Shierlaw replied for the Kangaroos.
Cats preserve finals hopes alive
Nina Morrison performed a serious function within the Cats’ win over the Lions. (AAP: Julian Smith)
Geelong stays within the AFLW finals race following a 10-point upset of the Brisbane Lions, ending the reigning premiers’ seven-match successful streak within the course of.
Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis starred because the Cats kicked the opening three objectives in an early blitz earlier than holding agency for a 7.5 (47) to five.7 (37) win at Kardinia Park on Sunday.
It was the primary residence victory of the season for Dan Lowther’s facet however got here at a value when Gabbi Featherston suffered a hamstring damage.
Geelong, who misplaced to the Lions in a preliminary ultimate final yr, sit six factors outdoors the highest eight with two rounds left to play and journey interstate to play West Coast in week 9.
Morrison (24 disposals) and Prespakis (20 disposals, 10 tackles and 10 clearances) shone in opposition to the Lions.
Anna-Rose Kennedy (18 disposals) and Julia Crockett-Grills (20) have been additionally influential.
Aisling Moloney and Shelley Scott kicked two objectives every.
Star midfielder Ally Anderson (21 disposals) and Charlotte Mullins (18) have been Brisbane’s main ball-winners, whereas O’Dwyer completed with two objectives.
AAP
