North Melbourne are playing in a league of their own. The ruthless Roos have brushed aside any and all challengers across the 10th AFLW season to finish the home and away rounds with a record-breaking winning streak of 24 matches, a record-equalling unbeaten run of 26 games, and a percentage of more than 300.
A star-studded and deep-running midfield led by captain Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell is backed up by the stingiest defence in the league for a third straight year. Then there is the most potent attack the competition has seen, as the Kangaroos have somehow improved on the side that went through last season undefeated – an early draw the only blemish – and secured a breakthrough premiership.
North Melbourne aren’t done yet in their season of supremacy. Three consecutive victories beginning with a qualifying final against Hawthorn on Friday night would make the Roos the first “invincibles” team in VFL/AFL/AFLW history. Perhaps most importantly, another slice of grand final glory would make the Kangaroos the first AFLW team to clinch back-to-back premierships.
With the finals series starting this week, here is how the remaining contenders can break the all-conquering Kangaroos’ stranglehold on the AFLW.
Melbourne
The Demons finished the home and away season as the second seed, or at least the distant runners up for the minor premiership, as they immediately bounced back from missing the finals last year. Melbourne are the No 1 for intercepts and perhaps the best equipped to match the Roos’ clean ball movement. The Demons are yet to face the Kangaroos this season, so if nothing else they can draw on the element of surprise.
Star power: Kate Hore
The Demons captain is the side’s barometer whether playing as a forward target or drifting into the midfield, and only needs one more major to reach a century of career goals.
Brisbane
The AFLW powerhouse and last year’s runners-up took time to get going this season but have won seven matches in a row since being defeated by North Melbourne in round five. The 29-point margin is the closest any side has come to beating the Roos this year, while the Lions remain a threat with their ability to control possession and the tempo of the game, as well as to step up when their backs are to the wall.
Star power: Sophie Conway
The two-time All-Australian is often the critical link in the Lions’ chain with an ability to find the ball in space and use her running and silky skills to open up the opposition, while being a goal threat on her own.
Hawthorn
The Hawks rely on defence more than attack and were unable to land enough blows when given the last chance to knock down the Roos during the home and away season. They get an immediate opportunity to respond when the two sides meet again on Friday night and Hawthorn might need to lean into the brewing rivalry after poking the bear when snubbing Garner’s post-match celebration for reaching 100 games.
Star power: Aine McDonagh
The undersized key forward makes up for her lack of height with a tenacious attack on the ball whether it is in the air or on the ground. McDonagh is critical to the Hawks’ hopes of breaking open the Roos defence after booting 35% of their goals with a career-high 21 this season.
Carlton
The Blues have risen faster than expected to lock in a finals spot for the first time since 2020 as they build on their strength of speed through the midfield and with ball in hand. Midfielders Mimi Hill, Erone Fitzpatrick and Dayna Finn give the attack plenty of opportunities, while the forward group has evolved into being one of the most powerful in the competition as Sophie McKay and Poppy Scholz add to their options.
Star power: Tara Bohanna
The former Gold Coast captain might be recruit of the year as her aerial prowess and goal threat has transformed the way that the Blues play. Bohanna can test the Roos’ last line of defence after booting 14 majors this season, while allowing young forwards McKay and Scholz to roam further from goal.
Adelaide
The perennial contenders must take the long route to a grand final as a shaky end to the year means they have unusually missed out on a top-four finish. The Crows at their best remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league and they have plenty of room for improvement, after often playing only one strong quarter to get away with a win, as well as the extra motivation of coach Matthew Clarke’s last season in charge.
Star power: Ebony Marinoff
Last year’s AFLW best and fairest is the third-most prolific ball-winner in the competition while continuing to be a tackling machine. Marinoff’s defensive focus at stoppages gives the Crows a point of difference that has proven in the past to be a way to rattle the Roos’ onball brigade.
St Kilda
The Saints have broken through for a first finals campaign though some of the sheen was taken off the moment when they lost their grip on hosting a game this week in a disappointing defeat to the Bulldogs. St Kilda will be on the road to face the Crows first up but have shown all season that they can overcome adversity while navigating a lengthy injury list even if there are signs that it is finally taking its toll.
Star power: Jesse Wardlaw
The former Lions premiership player knows how to perform on the biggest stages and will likely have to step up in the Saints forward half if her second side is to go far in their first finals campaign.
West Coast
The Eagles did all that they could to throw away their first finals spot when ending the home and away season with back-to-back defeats but can be buoyed up by being given a second chance as the chasing pack fell over as well. West Coast have nothing to lose from here and will have learned from their loss to Carlton last week as both sides hope to make up ground on the Roos and other frontrunners.
Star power: Ella Roberts
The young Eagles midfielder has quickly become one of the classiest and most impactful players in the competition and her importance to her side was shown by how far they dropped away when she missed one game due to a hamstring concern and looked underdone against the Blues.
