The Kangaroos have survived a scare from the Demons to book their place in next weekend’s AFLW grand final.
North Melbourne defied history at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon, securing a 10-point preliminary final victory over Melbourne.
The last time the Kangaroos had trailed at three-quarter time — against Melbourne in round eight, 2023 — they went on to lose.
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While Irishwoman Blaithin Bogue led the scoreboard with three goals, it was captain Jasmine Garner’s dominant final quarter that proved the difference in the 6.10 (46) to 5.6 (36) triumph.
Garner recorded a game-high four clearances, along with 12 disposals, four score involvements, and 242 metres gained in the final term.
Jasmine Garner celebrates a goal with teammates during the AFLW preliminary final between North Melbourne and Melbourne. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Melbourne delivered a one-two punch inside the first two minutes, with veterans Paxy Paxman and Ryleigh Wotherspoon both hitting the scoreboard to open up an early lead.
The early onslaught continued as skipper Kate Hore slotted her first major of the match, pushing Melbourne’s tally to three unanswered goals and giving the Demons a crucial early buffer.
However, the Kangaroos soon settled their nerves by adding three consecutive goals of their own.
Bogue was the catalyst, kicking two majors, with Eilish Sheerin adding a crucial third to bring North Melbourne right back into the contest.
Melbourne wrestled back the momentum just before the break, with Tayla Harris converting a set shot.
The late goal saw the Demons hold a narrow seven-point lead at quarter time.
The game tightened right up in the second term, transforming into a gruelling arm-wrestle.
Reflecting this, only one goal was scored by each side — a testament to the suffocating pressure being applied across the ground.
North Melbourne broke the deadlock through a key goal from Ash Riddell, which saw them snatch the lead for the first time in the match.
However, the advantage was short-lived as Hore slotted her second major of the day.
Although the Kangaroos began to show glimpses of their more dominant, familiar style, the Demons showed immense resilience to hang tough and take a slender two-point lead into the main break.
The Demons controlled territory in the third term with persistent forward 50 entries.
Disappointed Melbourne players comfort teammates following their defeat by North Melbourne in the preliminary final. Robert Cianflone via Getty Images
However, their inability to convert proved costly, with three behinds and a rushed behinds resulting in a disappointing return for the quarter.
Leaving the door open for the Kangaroos, the Demons took a six-point lead into the final change.
Bogue kicked the first goal of the second half, ending North Melbourne’s drought that stretched back to the four-minute mark of the second term.
Garner then cemented the result with a clutch goal under extreme pressure.
Fatigue appeared to hit the Demons late in the game, reflected by them registering just one disposal inside their forward 50 during the final term.
The Roos are just one game away from an undefeated season, boasting a 26-game winning streak.
Having secured its spot in the decider, North Melbourne is now set to face Brisbane in the AFLW grand final.
This will mark the third consecutive season that these two powerhouses have met in the competition’s final match.
Dominant Lions dismantle Blues to punch grand final ticket
The Lions secured their place in the grand final with a commanding 35-point victory over the Blues in their preliminary final at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night.
Lions forward Ruby Svarc finished the game with a match-leading four goals.
Ruby Svarc of the Lions celebrates after kicking a goal during the 2025 AFLW second preliminary final clash against the Blues. Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images
The 10.7 (67) to 5.2 (32) win reflected Brisbane’s domination across the ground.
The Lions comfortably won the key statistical battles, leading inside 50s by 22, clearances by six and contested possessions by 14.
Crucially, their control of the tempo was highlighted by massive advantages in uncontested possessions (by 70) and forward half intercepts (by 13).
The ability to generate scoring chances proved the critical differentiator, as the massive disparity in forward-50 entries became the most noticeable difference between the two sides.