3 minute read

North Melbourne are into the AFLW grand final where they will face Brisbane after thumping Port Adelaide by 57 points in their preliminary final.

After charging into a second consecutive AFLW grand final, North Melbourne are adamant they are better placed than ever to claim an elusive maiden premiership.

Darren Crocker's Kangaroos steamrolled Port Adelaide by 57 points on Saturday afternoon and will host reigning premiers Brisbane, who beat Adelaide by 18 points on Saturday night, in next week's decider.

In sweltering conditions at Ikon Park, the Kangaroos booted three goals inside the opening seven minutes to set up their 12.6 (78) to 2.9 (21) preliminary final victory in front of 4387 fans.

After a heartbreaking 17-point loss to Brisbane in last year's decider, the unbeaten minor premiers will host next Saturday night's clash at Ikon Park as red-hot favourites after an ominous dismantling of a young Power team.

"The girls really stamped their authority on the game early and set it up in the first half," Crocker said.

"So it's nice reward again for all the effort that's gone in throughout the off-season and also the season.

"I think the lessons learned from last year will hold us in good stead. 

"The season that we've had, the growth within the group, I just feel like we're better placed this year, better team. 

"We're physically really fit and hardened, and mentally I think the players are in a really good head space to go into our last game for the season and look forward to the opportunity that presents."

Star North midfielders Jasmine Garner (25 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles and a goal) and Ashleigh Riddell (27 disposals, five clearances) were typically prolific.

Both will likely be up there in Monday night's league best and fairest award.

"I would have thought that Jasmine would have been rewarded with that already, but we know what an unbelievable player she is," Crocker said. 

"I've said before she's a generational player, and Ash is pushing up right behind her.

"They might take votes off each other. 

"You would think that would hold them in good stead, having won all those games, but who knows. 

"I know that they wouldn't be focused on that - they'd just focus on something else in seven days' time."

Powerhouse forward Vikki Wall snagged three goals, while Alice O'Loughlin, Tahlia Randall, Kate Shierlaw and Taylah Gatt kicked two majors apiece.

North skipper Emma Kearney successfully returned from a hamstring injury, and was rested for most of the final quarter.

Port's Piper Window (15 disposals, eight tackles), Abbey Dowrick (18 disposals) and Shineah Goody got to work.

Lauren Arnell's Power, in their first preliminary final, looked lost for answers as North smashed them around the ball and kept them goalless for three quarters.

North led by 26 at quarter-time and nudged their half-time margin out to 50 points, then 65 at the final change.

The Power kept fighting and Gemma Houghton snagged Port's deserved first goal early in the final term.

But Wall launched her third goal, this time from outside 50, to put an exclamation mark on North's victory.

"A 57-point loss in a prelim is not what you're after, but also I think it gives us everything we need to know," Arnell said.

"I don't think anyone would argue North Melbourne is the best team in this competition to this point in time. 

"And so I'm actually really proud that we created the opportunity to play against them in a prelim."