Kangaroos closer to history after Crows demolition job
Joanna Guelas |
A seemingly untouchable North Melbourne outfit are set to claim a piece of Australian rules football history after monstering Adelaide by 40 points.
The Kangaroos’ 10.11 (71) to 5.1 (31) win at Arden Street Oval means they are one game from equalling the most consecutive wins in VFL/AFL or AFLW history.
Their victory in Saturday’s Pride Round fixture is North’s 22nd in a row, shy of Geelong’s record of 23 wins across the 1952 and 1953 VFL seasons.
So dominant were the reigning premiers that they held competition heavyweights Adelaide goalless until Teah Charlton’s major early in third quarter.
Darren Crocker’s Kangaroos remain at the top of the ladder, eight points ahead of second-placed Melbourne (8-2).
Meanwhile, the three-time premiership Crows are sixth (6-4) after nearly suffering their biggest loss.
Their largest margin of defeat was 42 points to North in round 5, 2020.
Adelaide also avoided further unwanted history on the scoreboard, surpassing their lowest-ever score of 1.7 (13), set against Fremantle in round 3, 2021.
North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner had her usual influence and fell short of breaking teammate Ash Riddell’s disposal record of 45 touches.
Garner had 41 disposals and seven clearances, and kicked one goal to equal Melbourne captain Kate Hore on 97 career majors.
The pair are in pole position to become the first AFLW players reach 100 goals.
Riddell and defender Emma Kearney were just as busy against the Crows, while Tahlia Randall marked her 100th game with one major as one of 10 multiple goalkickers.
North Melbourne picked up against Adelaide where they left off against Richmond last week and slotted five goals to none with relative ease in the first quarter.
The Crows took 12 inside-50s during the first half but could only find one point for reward – when Stevie-Lee Thompson’s goal attempt was smothered – as the hosts surged to a 37-point lead.
Charlton kicked the first major after halftime to end Adelaide’s scoreboard drought, before Eloise Jones kicked back-to-back goals to start the fourth term.
Jones finished with three goals as Ebony Marinoff led the Crows with 27 touches and five clearances.
AAP
