NORTH Melbourne has underlined Tasmania as an AFLW fortress by inflicting Fremantle’s first defeat of the season at North Hobart Oval.
The Kangaroos (4-1) were never headed in the tight contest and won by 10 points, 3.8 (26) to 2.4 (16), with the result in the balance until the final minutes.
Travel-weary Fremantle (5-1) was brave without gun playmaker Kiara Bowers, who is serving a two-game suspension, but it was around the centre bounces and stoppages that the Roos excelled in her absence.
Onballers Jasmine Garner, with 28 disposals, and Ash Riddell, 24, allowed the Kangaroos to extend their winning run at the club’s second home to seven straight victories.
The Roos dominated the second and third quarters but left themselves exposed on the scoreboard with a run of eight straight behinds before defender Isabella Eddey pounced on an errant clearing kick to goal on the run.
Fremantle, playing their fourth game in 16 days before heading home to WA, mounted a spirited last quarter challenge, but the hosts found a crucial goal from Tahlia Randall with only three minutes left to provide the vital scoreboard buffer.
North Melbourne blew the chance to head into the second half with a lead far more significant than just three points, paying a high price for inaccuracy within scoring range.
After an even opening quarter, the Roos dominated the second term with their run and carry style compared to the Dockers’ long kicks to a target or space.
Four set shots were offline for the home team – Emma King and Daria Bannister missed from free kicks 20m out while Sophie Abbatangelo and Randall watched their kicks drift astray from 35m and 30m in benign conditions.
Fremantle’s unbeaten run was certainly vulnerable on the trip across Bass Strait.
Not only did they lose the invaluable Bowers, but injury also ruled out Amy Franklin, their No.1 draft pick, and experienced Matilda Sergeant.
And among the four inclusions were three players in their debut seasons, Ireland’s Aine Tighe, Dana East and Makaela Tuhakaraina.
(C) AAP 2022
