North Melbourne have secured their first AFLW grand final berth with a thrilling one-point triumph over Adelaide on Sunday. The Kangaroos led at every change and had all the momentum during the last term but risked paying the ultimate price for wayward kicking when Crows’ midfielder Anne Hatchard booted a goal to make it the barest of margins with less than three minutes remaining.
The Roos then overcame some nervy moments to lock the ball in their forward half and hold on for a 4.8 (32) to 4.7 (31) victory over the Crows in a pulsating clash at Ikon Park. North Melbourne will return to the same venue to host the decider against Brisbane on Sunday 3 December, as they look to complete a finals sweep of their three main challengers in recent seasons and claim a maiden AFLW premiership.
Key forward Tahlia Randall booted two goals and had gilt-edge opportunities to ice the game in the final term but could only add a pair of behinds with a grand final clash against her former side on the line. The Roos’ gun midfielders Jasmine Garner (22 disposals, one goal), Jenna Bruton (28) and Ash Riddell (25) did the damage around the stoppages and with their ball movement to help set up the win.
Bruton was particularly pivotal to turning around the contest when the Crows had the match on their terms through the middle stages. The dashing defender made several scything runs while gathering 13 disposals just in the third term to help the Roos take back control. Kangaroos skipper Emma Kearney was typically immense in defence and enjoyed a running battle with Danielle Ponter.
The Crows’ spearhead booted three goals and looked the most dangerous player on the field as the three-time premiers surged through the second and third terms, while Ebony Marinoff (25 disposals), Niamh Kelly (22) and Hatchard (21) were also superb.
Randall and Kate Shierlaw both booted a goal in the opening term to give the Kangaroos an early advantage, while Garner slotted a tricky set shot against the run of play to ensure they took a handy nine-point lead into the main break. Ponter was Adelaide’s only goalscorer in the first half as they failed to make the most of their chances to head into half-time with 1.5 on the board to the Roos’ 3.2.
Ponter then sparked the contest with a strong contested mark and second major just after the break, and added another four minutes later to put the Crows in front until Randall responded to reclaim the lead for the Roos and ensure a mouthwatering final term. North Melbourne added four behinds before Hatchard’s late intervention, then hung on for a rousing victory to knock out Adelaide and set up their first shot at AFLW glory when they face 2021 premiers Brisbane.
