Early AFLW flag statement as Kangaroos stun in GF rematch; Hawks’ historic win — Wrap

North Melbourne have made a huge statement of intent in the opening round of the AFLW season by handing reigning premiers Brisbane their biggest ever loss on Sunday in sweltering conditions in Springfield.

Spurred on by their 2023 grand final defeat to the Lions, the Kangaroos achieved some form of vengeance against their vanquishers with a 44-point shellacking, and reminded the critics that they will well and truly still be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s premiership race.

And while the 12.6 (78) to 5.4 (34) result in the grand final rematch will not make up for the heartache the Kangaroos suffered at Princes Park last December, it would have provided a lot of satisfaction given it served as their first win over Brisbane after five unsuccessful attempts.

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After a tight first half, North Melbourne blew the game wide open in the third quarter, booting six unanswered goals to lead by 49 points at three-quarter time. The Kangaroos’ tally of 6.1 (37) in the third term was greater than any total score they had ever registered against Brisbane.

The heavy loss was compounded for Brisbane with club debutant Shanae Davison appearing to suffer a serious wrist injury in the first quarter. The former Eagle got hurt while bracing herself after going for a mark and landed awkwardly on her arm which buckled underneath her body weight. She left the ground using her jumper as a makeshift sling.

North Melbourne’s pressure was immense all day, and it made the Lions second-guess themselves which played right into the hands of the ruthless Kangaroos.

Brisbane had comfortably more clearances (37-25), but their forward efficiency was non-existent and they were completely overwhelmed by the sharper and slicker Kangaroos.

Garner off to a flyer

North Melbourne champion Jasmine Garner already has six All-Australians, three AFLCA champion player awards and two AFLPA MVPs to her name.

The last individual accolade that remains absent from her glittering resume is an AFLW best-and-fairest award, and she put her best foot forward in her ambition to right that wrong with another standout performance that will surely net her three votes.

Garner was brilliant with 28 disposals (17 contested), six tackles, six clearances and a goal to be the driving force behind the comprehensive result.

Her partner-in-crime Ash Riddell was also superb with 31 touches and a goal and Alice O’Loughlin looks set for a breakout year after playing one of the best games her career, finishing with 19 touches and two goals.

Ally Anderson was a standout for Brisbane, racking up 29 possessions (19 contested), 15 clearances and a goal.

O’loughlin brilliance

O’Loughlin kicked one of the goals of the day in the third quarter when she fumbled the ball, mopped up her own mistake, broke clear of three Lions and snapped over her shoulder to float it through and put North up by 36 points.

Nervous wait for alice

But it wasn’t all good news for O’Loughlin because she could be facing a suspension for a sling tackle on Brisbane’s Shannon Campbell late in the game which saw the latter’s head hit the turf forcefully. Campbell required quite a few moments to compose herself before taking her free kick.

Tempers flare

North’s Vikki Wall made an instant impact in her first game back since Season 7, and she sparked a melee with her lingering tackle on Campbell that was completed well after the quarter-time siren sounded. Brisbane’s Dakota Davidson took exception and barrelled Wall over, drawing other players in to the fracas. Wall made an important contribution with two goals.

HAWKS’ BIGGEST EVER WIN STUNS DOUR BLUES

The Daniel Webster era at Hawthorn has got off to the perfect start after the Hawks thumped Carlton by an AFLW club record 38 points in Frankston on Sunday.

Webster, who has taken over from inaugural Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard, guided his team to a 9.12 (66) to 4.4 (28) victory in the first ever AFLW meeting between the clubs.

The Hawks’ previous biggest winning margin was 14 points.

After coughing up the first two goals, Hawthorn took complete control of the contest, kicking nine of the last 11 majors to romp home in a canter as they made far better use of the strong breeze than the Blues did.

Hawthorn’s pressure was a feature throughout the match, comfortably out-tackling Carlton 72-59. The Hawks also enjoyed a massive inside-50 advantage (44-20) and far greater midfield-forward connection.

Former Dees make splash

Former Melbourne duo Eliza West and Casey Sherriff made an instant impact with their new club Hawthorn. West amassed 28 disposals (24 contested) and 10 tackles, while Sherriff racked up 15 touches (nine) and two goals, including an outstanding effort from 45m out on the boundary in the final quarter.

Aileen Gilroy was also fantastic for the winners, registering 16 possessions and two goals, while Mattea Breed was influential as well with 13 disposals, five tackles and a goal.

Abbie McKay was Carlton’s best with 31 touches (20 contested), 10 clearances and five tackles.

Great goals galore

Breed kicked a fantastic goal late in the second quarter as she gathered the ball, sprinted clear of three Blues and split the big sticks from 25m out to put her Hawks up by 19 points.

Her teammate Emily Bates, in her first game as captain, also impressed in the third term when she kept her feet after a marking contest against Lulu Beatty, gathered her own crumbs, baulked Abbie McKay and kicked truly before Beatty managed to effect a despairing smother.

Carlton’s Keeley Skepper also contributed to the highlight reel in the first quarter when she blind turned from congestion, unloaded from 40m out on the boundary and bent it back for a pearler.

Fleming fumbles

Jasmine Fleming had no such luck early in the third quarter when she had the chance to put Hawthorn up by 26 points.

She found herself all alone in the Hawks goal square but after fumbling the easy handball receive, she made a mess of her second attempt to gather the ball and clumsily sent it over for a rushed behind.

Hawks in trouble?

Breed could be facing a suspension for a sling tackle on Harriet Cordner late in the third quarter that saw the latter’s head make contact with the ground.

And Hawthorn’s Jenna Richardson could come under match review scrutiny as well for a high hit on Lila Keck while attempting to spoil the Carlton debutant on the wing in the third quarter.

Bodey inaccurate

Hawthorn’s winning margin would’ve been even greater had former Lion Greta Bodey’s radar not malfunctioned. The 29-year-old finished the day with 1.4, but was a constant menace in attack.

Vescio’s vanishing act

Carlton forward Darcy Vescio was moved to a wing for the first game of the season, but the star had no impact, registering only seven disposals.