Roos Book AFLW Preliminary Final Berth with 25-Game Winning Streak
North Melbourne are two victories away from completing an undefeated season after defeating Hawthorn in an AFLW qualifying final on Friday night. Despite struggling in attack, the Roos' overall polish on the field proved too much for the injury-hit Hawks, who fought bravely but were outclassed in front of 4,392 fans at Ikon Park in Carlton.
The Roos' undefeated streak, stretching back to last season, has now reached 25 consecutive games as they triumphed 5.12 (42) to 0.3 (3) over Hawthorn. North Melbourne will now prepare for the next week’s rest, while Hawthorn hope injuries sustained during this match, such as Kaitlyn Ashmore’s calf issue and Aine McDonagh’s painful knee, do not affect their performance in the upcoming elimination semi-final.
Coach Darren Crocker Reflects on Team Performance
“That’s probably be one area that we’ll look at,” Crocker said regarding their forward play. “Their ability to not just defend inside the defensive 50m arc, but also put pressure on the ball carrier - sometimes the ball carrier was under pressure and they couldn’t get the ball in the areas they wanted to. We could have been a little bit better with where we put the ball at times.”
Standout Players from Both Teams
North Melbourne’s top performers included Libby Birch, Jasmine Garner, Ash Riddell, and Erika O’Shea, showing strength across the ground in a heated contest. From Hawthorn, Eliza West, Laura Stone, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, and Aileen Gilroy were noted for their efforts despite the team's challenges.
Key Injuries
- Kaitlyn Ashmore suffered a calf injury and missed the final term.
- Aine McDonagh continued playing despite a potentially serious knee injury.
The Roos will rest this week while the Hawks focus on recovering ahead of next weekend's elimination semi-final.
North Melbourne’s impressive dominance continues as they near a historic undefeated AFLW season while overcoming key challenges on the field.