North Melbourne still unbeaten in AFLW after fighting win over Melbourne

The Shinboner spirit shone through for the Kangaroos as the AFLW newcomers kept their unbeaten record intact after they were given an almighty fight by Melbourne.

Emma King kicks a goal against Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

The Shinboner spirit shone through for the Kangaroos as the AFLW newcomers kept their unbeaten record intact with a hard-fought four-point win over Melbourne.

After three convincing victories to start the season, the Kangaroos were given an almighty fight by a Demons side which refused to take a backwards step at Casey Fields but eventually prevailed 6.2 (38) to 5.4 (34).

The Demons hit the front with an Aliesha Newman goal on the run just over two minutes into the final term and appeared to have the momentum.

But Kangaroos tall Emma King put through her third goal at the other end minutes later after receiving a controversial free kick 20m out straight in front, with team in blue and white staying composed to hold on from there in the closing stages.

The result leaves the Kangaroos as the only unbeaten AFLW side after Round 4 and sitting atop of the Conference A ladder entering a clash with second-placed Adelaide next Sunday.

But Kangaroos coach Scott Gowans says there is a “long way to go”.

North Melbourne’s Mo Hope skips away from her Demons opponents. Picture: Michael Klein

“Good sides always find a way to win and I think we did that … but there’s a long way to go,” Gowans said.

“The pressure in that game, any side could fall away in that last quarter. But they actually took a big breath and said, ‘Nup, for 17 minutes we’re going to battle this out’, and they did and they controlled the footy and the stats started going back our way.”

Ruck Emma King was a key factor, kicking three goals during her spells at full-forward including the match-winner in the final term, Gowans saying he would “like to have two of her”.

THE GAME CHANGER

The Kangaroos dominated territory in the first quarter but failed to get reward for effort as they went into the first break with only one goal on the board and a one-point lead.

Then Gowans made a masterstroke, throwing ruck Emma King to full-forward to start the second quarter.

The impact was immediate, with an Emma Kearney centre clearance finding its way into the hands of Mo Hope at half-forward, who then kicked to the top of the goal square where King marked and slotted a goal in just 47 seconds.

King stayed at full-forward and kicked a second goal in less than two minutes from a free kick, proving too big for Melbourne opponent Hariet Cordner, who stood 9cm shorter.

Then, when the Kangaroos found themselves behind in the final quarter, King stood up again to slot what proved to be the match-winner in a close affair.

Bethany Lynch, sister of Richmond’s Tom Lynch, was making her AFLW debut. Picture: Michael Klein

THE DEBUTANT

It was hard to miss towering Richmond forward Tom Lynch in the crowd at Casey Fields.

Lynch’s sister, Bethany, made her AFLW debut for the Kangaroos and her older brother was there in support.

Bethany started on the bench but it was only a matter of minutes before she got her turn and was sent to a wing.

Lynch, who played for Richmond’s VFLW side last year, finished with only four disposals but showed some good run and dash during the contest.

THE CROWD

The television audiences for AFLW might be on the slide, but the crowds keep on turning up.

A warm and sunny afternoon at Casey Fields drew 4227 fans, surprising organisers who had to open up an extra gate to get them in for the first quarter.

There was no shortage of blue and white colours among the crowd, North Melbourne fans keen to get a glimpse of their women’s side live.

The match was the first the Kangaroos have played in Victoria, having had two home games in Tasmania and one away game against Greater Western Sydney in Drummoyne across the opening three rounds.

Originally published as North Melbourne still unbeaten in AFLW after fighting win over Melbourne