North Melbourne superstar Jasmine Garner suffered an ankle injury as the AFLW premiers continued their winning start to the new campaign with a record-breaking 100-point thumping of Fremantle.
Garner is set for scans after landing awkwardly in a second-quarter marking contest and playing no further part in the Kangaroos’ 18.6 (114) to 2.2 (14) victory at Fremantle Oval on Sunday.
The result extended North’s winning streak to an AFLW record 15 matches, and they are unbeaten in 17 outings over two seasons after their near-perfect 2024 premiership campaign.
The Kangaroos also kicked a record AFLW score as Blaithin Bogue (four goals), Tahlia Randall (three), Amy Smith and Alice O’Loughlin (two each) feasted on an avalanche of opportunities in attack.
But there are concerns for star midfielder Garner after she limped off with an injured left ankle before half-time.
The Kangaroos’ captain took a mark within scoring range, but got up gingerly and tried to offload the ball to a teammate.
Play was then stopped by the umpires, allowing Garner time to exit as O’Loughlin took her kick.
The 31-year-old had looked dangerous to that point, continuing her strong start to the season with 11 disposals and a goal.
Garner’s injury didn’t stop North coasting to a comfortable win, set up in a club-best first quarter.
Gun on-baller Ash Riddell (38 disposals) was busy from the outset as the Kangaroos posted 6.1 to 1.0 in a dominant opening term.
The visitors hardly put a foot wrong in managing six goals from seven shots and nine inside-50s.
The margin grew to 42 points by the main break, but it should have been more.
A wayward North kicked 1.5 to 0.0 from 19 forward entries to none in the second quarter.
The avalanche continued after the main break as the ruthless Roos put their opponents to the sword.
Riddell and Smith (24 touches) were outstanding for North, while star pair Emma Kearney (22) and Jenna Bruton (13) impressed on return from injuries.
Fremantle (1-2) had few winners on a dirty day and lost Emma O’Driscoll to concussion before half-time.
The Dockers’ two goals for the game came either side of 16 in a row for the rampaging visitors.
Lisa Webb’s side has lost its past two matches — against last year’s grand finalists, Brisbane and North, by a combined 170 points.
‘Got away with absolute murder’: Pies miss post-siren winner
Collingwood players were left shattered at the final siren after coming within in a goal of ending Melbourne’s perfect start to the AFLW season. (Getty Images: Michael Willson)
Melbourne has survived an after-the-siren shot at goal from Collingwood to claim a thrilling four-point win and maintain its unbeaten start to the AFLW season.
In a scrappy, high-pressure contest at Victoria Park, Melbourne star Alyssa Bannan teed up skipper Kate Hore to deliver a six-point lead with two minutes left.
Imogen Barnett missed a late chance to tie the game, then after the siren Grace Campbell hit the post with a would-be match-winner, delivering Melbourne a 5.7 (37) to 4.9 (33) win.
“I just said to the girls: ‘Where are the cops? We just got away with absolute murder there’,” Hore told the Seven Network.
“But we’ll take it. A win’s a win in this competition, you’ve got to keep banking them.”
Both teams had their fair share of absences, with the Demons clearly missing the class of Olivia Purcell (ACL), Sinead Goldrick and Blaithin Mackin amid a lengthy injury list.
The Magpies were without skipper Ruby Schleicher (concussion), while Jordyn Allen (calf) and Bri Davey (ankle) are yet to return.
Brit Bonnici (27 disposals, six clearances, 10 tackles) and Carly Remmos (24 disposals) were prolific, while Tarni White was superb in defence.
Paxy Paxman (21 disposals) had an entertaining duel with Sarah Rowe (25 disposals) on the wing, while Maeve Chaplin (21 disposals, 11 tackles, 532 metres gained) was excellent.
The Demons (3-0) next play Richmond at Casey Fields on Saturday, before Collingwood (1-2) face North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval on Sunday.
AAP
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