North Melbourne is surging towards its first AFLW minor premiership after thumping Essendon by 51 points.
The Kangaroos held the Bombers scoreless for almost a half in their first AFLW meeting to set up an 8.10 (58) to 1.1 (7) win at Windy Hill on Sunday.
Last year’s runners-up to the Brisbane Lions, the undefeated Kangaroos remain atop the ladder by two points with eight wins and one draw.
Kate Shierlaw (three goals) formed a devastating attacking partnership with Tahlia Randall (two), while ball magnets Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell dominated with 23 disposals each.
Essendon, who sit in eighth place by percentage, must win its final two matches if it wants to secure a finals spot.
Alongside Maddy Prespakis (28 disposals), Maddi Gay starred in the under-siege Bombers defence and led the match with 30 touches and 10 intercept possessions.
Shierlaw struck first for the Kangaroos with the opening two goals before Vikki Wall fired for a 21-point lead against a scoreless Bombers at quarter-time.
Such was the visitors’ dominance in the first term that the Bombers failed to achieve a single inside-50 entry.
It was Randall’s turn to shine up front in the second term and she kicked two goals to help build a lead of 41 points, before a wayward set-shot from Brooke Walker gave the Bombers their first score as half-time loomed.
Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood had the best chance at slotting a major but sent her after-the-siren shot wide, missing the sticks completely.
The hosts were able to limit the Kangaroos to just two behinds in the third quarter but could not move the ball into their forward-50
Toogood then kicked truly in the fourth term to finally bring the Bombers and their faithful some reward in front of goal before Garner and Shierlaw replied for the Kangaroos.
Crows beat Pies after water pipe bursts
The Adelaide Crows overcome a burst water pipe at Victoria Park to beat Collingwood by 43 points and bolster their hopes for a top-two finish.
A leaking pipe beneath the centre square threatened to delay the match, before the Crows dominated from start to finish to post an 8.8 (56) to 2.1 (13) win.
The three-time premiership side sits third on the ladder after seven wins and two losses, four points behind Hawthorn after successfully dodging the sandpit covering the burst pipe.
Taylah Levy and Caitlin Gould led in attack for the Crows with three goals each, alongside Ebony Marinoff (36 disposals) and Anne Hatchard (28).
Their only concern will be a possible foot injury to Keeley Kustermann, sustained in the third quarter after a tackle by Mikala Cann.
An injury-ravaged Collingwood (1-8) are last on the ladder and will be battling to avoid the wooden spoon in the season’s final two rounds.
Sarah Rowe (25 disposals) and Ruby Schleicher (20) were the main stars for Collingwood in captain Bri Davey’s absence.
Davey suffered a season-ending bone stress reaction in her left tibia just days after celebrating her 50-match milestone last round.
Brittany Bonnici and Lauren Butler kicked the Magpies’ only goals.
Cats keep finals hopes alive
Nina Morrison played a major role in the Cats’ win over the Lions. (AAP: Julian Smith)
Geelong remains in the AFLW finals race following a 10-point upset of the Brisbane Lions, ending the reigning premiers’ seven-match winning streak in the process.
Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis starred as the Cats kicked the opening three goals in an early blitz before holding firm for a 7.5 (47) to 5.7 (37) win at Kardinia Park on Sunday.
It was the first home victory of the season for Dan Lowther’s side but came at a cost when Gabbi Featherston suffered a hamstring injury.
Geelong, who lost to the Lions in a preliminary final last year, sit six points outside the top eight with two rounds left to play and travel interstate to play West Coast in week nine.
Morrison (24 disposals) and Prespakis (20 disposals, 10 tackles and 10 clearances) shone against the Lions.
Anna-Rose Kennedy (18 disposals) and Julia Crockett-Grills (20) were also influential.
Aisling Moloney and Shelley Scott kicked two goals each.
Star midfielder Ally Anderson (21 disposals) and Charlotte Mullins (18) were Brisbane’s major ball-winners, while O’Dwyer finished with two goals.
AAP
