Over the past 18 months, North Melbourne’s AFLW team have been an untouchable juggernaut.
Media outlets quickly ran out of punchy adjectives to describe the reigning premiers’ dominant 25-game unbeaten streak, while commentators scrambled to pinpoint a flaw in Darren Crocker’s seemingly flawless group.
They’ve done it again. North Melbourne have booked a spot in the 2025 AFLW Grand Final. Credit: Getty Images
During the final quarter of Saturday afternoon’s preliminary final, it looked like the North dynasty was about to end. Propelled by captain Kate Hore, a fierce Melbourne challenged the Kangaroos and were leading in the fourth quarter by several points.
But two rapid consecutive goals from Blaithin Bogue and captain Jasmine Garner put the Roos ahead in the dying minutes of the final term to win 6.10 (46) to 5.6 (36).
North will now play in their third grand final next week at Ikon Park, facing the winners of the Brisbane Lions’ clash with Carlton.
“Melbourne threw it all at us. It was just a great game of footy,” Garner told Seven.
“That’s finals footy. You have to be up for the fight, and we dug deep in the last quarter – it’s a pretty special win.”
Garner took great joy in kicking the match-sealing goal and hearing the screams from the Roos faithful as 7057 fans packed into Ikon Park.
“[It was about] just bring it back to basics, [to] get the ball forward and do what I do best and work with the other midfielders,” Garner told Seven.
“The goal, it’s one of those ones where it is in-close, you get it on your boot quickly and it flies through.
“The crowd was up and about, I really loved that one.”
Dees coach Mick Stinear praised his side post game but felt they just couldn’t hold down the likes of Bogue and Garner in the last term.
“They gave me everything that had,” Stinear said.
“[In the last term] the Roos defended a lot better and took away some easy marks, and then we just fatigued a little, and they took things up a notch, and we were just hanging in there.
“I thought we defended really well, but then that dam wall broke towards the end, and then I guess, just their quality stepped up, and probably having the week off showed in those dying minutes… I’m proud of the group.”
Paxy Paxman booted the opening goal for the Demons followed by another from Ryleigh Wotherspoon to leave the bewildered Roos panting in the early minutes of the first quarter.
Melbourne captain Hore snapped another major with her typical finesse, as the Demons took control of the momentum, smashing through North’s typically robust defence.
The Roos’ Irish star Bogue finally put the reigning premiers on the scoreboard, striking with a running snap backed up by another from Eilish Sheerin.
Melbourne closed off the quarter with a brilliant goal from Tayla Harris and even better photo from sports photographer Michael Willson – who captured the famous 2019 image of Harris’ kick, now immortalised in a statue outside Marvel Stadium.
Tayla Harris kicks a goal.Credit: AFL Photos
The Kangaroos fired back in the second with typically impressive conversion and kick from best-and-fairest hopeful Ash Riddell. Tensions started to flare between the two sides with push and shove between Libby Birch and Demon Eden Zanker, followed by animated crying gesture from Zanker.
Hore’s late goal kept the Demons ahead at half-time and a goalless third term upped the pressure at Ikon park as both teams scrambled for a converted grand final slot.
Blue and white-clad fans rose to their feet in the final term as North quickly roared back with an extraordinary running goal from Bogue, followed by another quick snap by captain Jasmine Garner, to put the Roos ahead and seal their victory.
North Coach Darren Crocker commended his team’s three-quarter resurgence, adding it was good preparation for next week’s grand final.
“Maybe Melbourne ran out of steam,” he said during the post-match press conference.
“I know it’s a real benefit having the week off coming into a prelim. But, all credit to them [Melbourne], they were very good today.”