Rampant North close in on remarkable winning record

Oliver Caffrey | October 11, 2025

North Melbourne are just two games away from equalling the most consecutive wins in VFL/AFL or AFLW history after taking care of Richmond by 36 points.

The rampant AFLW reigning premiers started slow, requiring a spray from coach Darren Crocker at quarter-time, but they pulled away in the second quarter to lead by 21 points at the main break.

The plucky Tigers, coming off their first win of the season last week, fought hard and prevented North from another percentage-booster.

But the Kangaroos were never seriously threatened in the second half, winning 7.8 (50) to 2.2 (14) on Saturday to celebrate three-time premiership player Libby Birch’s 100th game in style.

It was North’s 21st win in a row, closing in on Geelong’s long-standing mark of 23 in the men’s VFL back in 1952-53.

The Kangaroos have been an unstoppable juggernaut since they lost the 2023 grand final against the Brisbane Lions.

They didn’t lose a match last season on their way to the premiership, but drew with Geelong in round two of the 2024 campaign.

“I don’t think you can ever get sick of winning,” Birch told the Seven Network.

“What’s special is yes we’re getting wins on the board, but we want to play our way and try and play our way for four quarters.

“We probably didn’t do that tonight so that’s something we’ll reflect on.

“But credit to Richmond, I thought they had really good pressure, and they played really well.”

North’s key playmakers – Ash Riddell (37 possessions) and Jasmine Garner (30 disposals, two goals) – got better as the game went on, both producing blitzing performances in the second half.

Tahlia Randall booted the first two goals of the game either side of quarter-time, while breakout Irish star Blaithin Bogue also slotted two majors.

Bogue, in her first season of AFLW, sits equal second for most goals in 2025 with Sydney superstar Chloe Molloy.

Incredibly, star midfielder Garner went to the top of the goal-kicking leaderboard on 18 after her two goals.

North are 9-0 this season and sit atop the ladder with a percentage of 331.5.

The Kangaroos will enter finals with tricky matches against Adelaide, St Kilda, and second-placed Hawthorn.

Richmond’s best were, predictably, stars Mon Conti and Ellie McKenzie, while Emelia Yassir was dangerous up forward.