Premiership favourites North Melbourne remain unbeaten in 2024 after advancing to their third straight AFLW preliminary final with a seven-point victory over Adelaide in the qualifying final. The Kangaroos found themselves firmly under the pump in the second quarter at Ikon Park on Friday night, before willing their way back into control to prevail 5.8 (38) to 5.
1 (31). Ash Riddell put in a star turn for the Kangaroos. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images Gun on-ball trio Ash Riddell (34 disposals, 10 clearances), Jasmine Garner (29, 10) and Mia King (24, nine) masterminded North’s charge, aided by small forward Bella Eddey’s two second-quarter goals.
“What a cracking game,” Eddey said. “Adelaide are a great outfit – we know that – and they really challenged us in that second quarter. “We worked so hard for this.
I’m really proud of the way we fought back. Super.” Ebony Marinoff racked up 30 touches and 13 tackles for Adelaide, while Chelsea Randall and Caitlin Gould slotted two goals apiece.
The Crows’ Chelsea Randall can’t evade Amy Smith, of the Kangaroos. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images The match was barely a minute old when the Kangaroos were up and away, with Tahlia Randall marking strongly and goaling. Gould set up Adelaide’s initial reply, with a tough tackle on Jasmine Ferguson leading to Danielle Ponter’s successful snap, before converting herself from the goal square.
North pinched the lead back right on quarter-time after Crows defen.
