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AAP
AAP
Sport
Rob Forsaith

North cruise to 27-point AFLW win over GWS

Ellie Gavalas has kicked two goals in North Melbourne's 27 point AFLW win over GWS. (AAP)

North Melbourne have clambered into the AFLW's top six, hammering GWS by 27 points in humid conditions at Arden Street Oval.

Sunday's contest at the Kangaroos' spiritual home in Melbourne started with one of the more powerful scenes of this weekend's Pride round, when Dani Laidley tossed the coin.

The hosts proceeded to triumph 7.12 (54) to 4.3 (27), putting on a clinic in the opening three quarters while rising up to fifth on the ladder.

North led by 47 points at three-quarter time before GWS finished strongly, with a goal from debutante and Sydney Swans academy product Jess Doyle helping add some respectability to the scoreboard.

But the Giants were never in the contest and, if not for some goal-kicking inaccuracy from the winners, it could easily have been a bigger blow to their percentage.

The visitors were outclassed in every facet when it mattered most, struggling to get their hands on the football in the middle then failing to control North's potent forward line.

Daria Bannister and Ellie Gavalas each booted two goals, while Ash Riddell (23 disposals, five tackles and six clearances) ignited her side's on-ball dominance to headline the list of best-on-ground contenders.

Tahlia Randall snaffled a sensational pack mark in the third term but failed to convert her set shot.

Jess Duffin and fellow North defenders generally did well under the pump, although the quality and quantity of GWS's forward-line entries meant that was rarely the case until the fourth quarter.

North led the Inside-50s count 21-6 at halftime, underlining their dominance.

The visitors failed to score in the opening half, while their first goal was kicked late in the third term via Olympic gold medallist Chloe Dalton.

Dalton's first goal in the orange and charcoal came after a 50m penalty, one of few lapses in discipline from North.

The Kangaroos failed to produce their best in the opening two rounds, pipping Geelong in a low-scoring tussle then losing to Adelaide.

They looked a different side on Sunday, when early pressure culminated in a snapped goal for captain Emma Kearney.

Come the eighth minute of the second quarter, when Bannister slotted her second goal, North had already recorded their highest score of the season while opening up a 28-point lead.

North face Carlton in round four, while GWS host Western Bulldogs.

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