Imagine a team so dominant, so utterly stifling, that they can shut down their opponents completely. That's exactly what North Melbourne did, sending shockwaves through the AFLW with a ruthless performance that left Hawthorn goalless and staring at a 39-point defeat. But here's where it gets controversial... can a victory this decisive actually be bad for the sport?
The Kangaroos' relentless march towards a second premiership continued unabated with their qualifying final triumph. The final score? A stark 5.12 (42) to Hawthorn's 0.3 (3). The atmosphere at Ikon Park was electric, perhaps even a little hostile, as the Roos faithful witnessed a truly dominant display. And this is the part most people miss... the Kangaroos weren't even at their absolute best offensively!
This game will forever be etched in the AFLW history books for all the wrong reasons. It marked the lowest score ever recorded in an AFLW finals match, a testament to North Melbourne's defensive prowess, but also a glaring indictment of Hawthorn's offensive struggles.
KANGAROOS v HAWKS: Dive deeper into the full match coverage and stats here: (https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/matches/8034)
Leading up to the highly anticipated rematch – the two teams having clashed just a week prior – North Melbourne bolstered their already formidable lineup with the inclusion of Vikki Wall and Kate Shierlaw. Hawthorn, on the other hand, opted to swap their tall players, bringing back Jess Vukic to fill the void left by the injured Ellie Symonds.
The weather at Ikon Park was, to put it mildly, indecisive. A strange mix of humidity, wind, and intermittent rain created slippery conditions underfoot. Coupled with the intense pressure of finals football, the opening minutes were marked by frantic play and uncharacteristic fumbles from both sides.
An early error from Nat Exon, who stepped over the mark, gifted North Melbourne a crucial 50-meter penalty. Kim Rennie seized the opportunity, slotting through her third-ever AFLW goal in her impressive 86-game career. A dream start for the Roos!
While North Melbourne showcased their superior skills, Hawthorn attempted to claw their way back into the contest through sheer toughness and relentless pressure across the field. But here's the kicker: they simply couldn't penetrate North Melbourne's rock-solid defensive wall, marshalled by the formidable duo of Libby Birch and former Hawk Eliza Shannon.
Despite gaining the upper hand in both clearances and contested possessions during the second quarter, Hawthorn failed to register a single mark inside their forward 50 by halftime. A damning statistic that highlights their struggles to convert midfield dominance into scoring opportunities.
The Kangaroos themselves struggled to find a clear path to goal, but at least managed to get shots away, even if their accuracy let them down at times. The floodgates eventually opened in the fourth quarter as the game stretched and Hawthorn's resistance finally crumbled.
Jasmine Garner, while not necessarily dominating the stat sheet, was instrumental in North Melbourne's victory. Her exquisite disposal, characterized by pinpoint passes across the field, consistently unlocked Hawthorn's defense.
Ash Riddell, by her own high standards, was relatively quiet with 26 disposals. However, Erika O'Shea, Jenna Bruton, and Tess Craven provided plenty of run and class on the outside, adding another layer of dynamism to North Melbourne's midfield.
For Hawthorn, Eliza West battled valiantly in the midfield, amassing a game-high 27 touches. However, Jas Fleming had a surprisingly quiet game, managing just 13 disposals, while Jenna Richardson held firm in defense, attempting to stem the tide of North Melbourne attacks.
Tahlia Randall's heavy tackle on Emily Everist is likely to be scrutinized by the MRO (Match Review Officer), although the Hawk was cleared to return after passing a HIA (Head Injury Assessment) test.
Lack of Firepower Plagues Hawks
North Melbourne's defensive dominance was such that they held a side scoreless in a quarter for the 50th time in their impressive run of 25 consecutive wins. Even more concerning for Hawthorn, they failed to kick a single goal throughout the entire match. They've been desperately searching for alternative avenues to goal this season to support Aine McDonagh, who entered the game with 21 goals. Consider this: Greta Bodey was next with 11, and Kaitlyn Ashmore and Laura Stone were tied for third with a mere three goals each. A clear indication of their over-reliance on McDonagh.
An Eventful Third Term Filled with Drama
The third quarter was a chaotic affair, with tempers flaring and injuries plaguing Hawthorn. Firstly, the boundary umpires were reduced to three after their injured colleague failed to return after the main break. Then, Kaitlyn Ashmore limped off the field with a right calf injury, followed by Everist who was escorted down the race for a HIA. Laura Elliott was on the receiving end of a heavy hit from Vikki Wall, and Aine McDonagh made a slow exit with a right knee injury, with the physio oddly leaving her to hobble off the field unaided. Greta Bodey's elbow on Emma Kearney sparked a brief melee, and tensions flared once again at the three-quarter time siren. In a positive turn, Elliott and a visibly hampered McDonagh returned after the break, and Everist passed her HIA. Ashmore, however, remained sidelined, having played just 40% of the game.
What's Next?
North Melbourne now enjoy a well-deserved week off before hosting a home preliminary final at Ikon Park. Hawthorn, meanwhile, will face the winner of Saturday's Carlton-West Coast clash in a semi-final, also to be held at Ikon Park.
Match Summary:
NORTH MELBOURNE: 1.4 2.7 2.8 5.12 (42)
HAWTHORN: 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 (3)
Goals:
North Melbourne: Rennie, O'Loughlin, Bogue, Randall, Eddey
Hawthorn: Nil
Best:
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, O'Shea, Craven, Bruton
Hawthorn: West, Richardson, Everist, Lucas-Rodd
Injuries:
North Melbourne: Nil
Hawthorn: Ashmore (calf), McDonagh (knee)
Crowd: 4,392 at Ikon Park
So, what do you think? Was North Melbourne's dominance a sign of their strength, or a worrying sign for the competitiveness of the AFLW? And should the MRO take a closer look at that Randall tackle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
