North Melbourne will play in their third consecutive AFLW grand final after weathering an almighty scare in a 10-point win over a defiant Melbourne outfit.<\/p>\n
Trailing by six points at the final break, the Kangaroos’ historic 25-match winning streak looked in danger after a scoreless third quarter in Saturday’s preliminary final at Ikon Park.<\/p>\n
Needing the first goal after the break, Irish star Blaithin Bogue answered coach Darren Crocker’s call to kickstart the comeback for North’s sensational 6.10 (46) to 5.6 (36) victory.<\/p>\n
The Roos, looking to become the first women’s side to claim back-to-back premierships, next face the winner of the Brisbane-Carlton preliminary final.<\/p>\n
After kicking two crucial goals in the first term, Bogue had launched North Melbourne ahead by two points before captain Jasmine Garner hit the scoreboard herself to steady the side.<\/p>\n
Garner (one goal, 32 disposals, seven clearances) and fellow midfield superstar Ash Riddell (one goal, 24 disposals, three clearances) saw plenty of the ball, as Emma Kearney led a tough North Melbourne defence.<\/p>\n
Superstar captain Kate Hore (two goals, 18 disposals) was nothing short of sensational against North Melbourne, but her effort wasn’t enough.<\/p>\n
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The Demons just fell short of ending North’s winning run.\u00a0 (Getty Images via AFL Photos: James Wiltshire)<\/p>\n
Maeve Chaplin (22 disposals), Eliza McNamara (21) and Paxy Paxman (one goal, 15 disposals) were similarly busy.<\/p>\n
Melbourne stunned the hosts with a lethal opening display, kicking the first two goals within five minutes while keeping the defending premiers to a team-wide two disposals.<\/p>\n
Eliza McNamara had gifted the Demons the perfect start after winning the ball back within the 50-metre arc from Kangaroos defender Jasmine Ferguson with a textbook tackle.<\/p>\n
Well aware of the distance, McNamara unloaded to an unmanned Paxy Paxman and the star veteran drew first blood near the two-minute mark.<\/p>\n