North Melbourne are hoping to end their ‘Big Three’ hoodoo when they take on Melbourne in Sunday’s qualifying final.
The Roos have only won two of 16 games against the AFLW’s top teams Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane – despite being a top performer since coming into the competition in 2019.
In seven meetings, North Melbourne have only beaten Melbourne once in worrying signs for their hopes of securing a home preliminary final.
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And they’ll face a fired up Melbourne outfit after their final round loss to Brisbane.
The reigning premiers will be without injured Rhi Watt who was concussed in that loss to the Lions.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
It was North Melbourne with the red-hot start as they had nine of the opening 10 inside 50s.
But only Tahlia Randall caught manage a goal for the Roos as inaccuracy started to count against them.
“Real suffocating pressure Darren Crocker’s side has brought to the table today,” commentator Alister Nicholson said of North’s start.
“(But) this margin could be far more significant.”
When Melbourne’s Paxy Paxman was caught cold inside her defensive 50, the Roos were unlucky not to win a holding the ball free kick and shot on goal.
“That’s definitely a fend!” commentator Abbey Holmes said.
“There’s no easy disposals for the Dees is there?”
It took until there was just three minutes remaining in the term for Melbourne to get their first disposal inside 50 as North totally dominated the territory battle.
At the first change, North held a 10-1 lead.
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