AFLW preliminary final: North Melbourne demolishes Port Adelaide to secure home Grand Final

AFLW flag favourite North Melbourne sent a powerful message to its Grand Final opponent, earning hosting rights by demolishing Port Adelaide in a lopsided preliminary final played in gruelling conditions.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Alice O'Loughlin of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFLW First Preliminary Final match between the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at IKON Park on November 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The mercury stayed above 35C, the heavens opened during the third quarter, and gusts of wind of up to 50km/h ripped across Ikon Park.

But North Melbourne took the extreme weather in its stride to obliterate Port Adelaide and return to where it has wanted for 12 months – another home Grand Final, with a golden shot at a maiden flag.

The Kangaroos will host the winner of Brisbane and Adelaide at Ikon Park next Saturday night in the league’s first night-time decider after wiping any shred of Power momentum with four goals in the first 10 minutes on the way to a 57-point victory.

Before Port Adelaide could blink, the Roos had racked up nine of the first 10 clearances and 15 of the first 16 inside 50s – a flexing of the muscles which would have intimidated Lauren Arnell’s young side in the searing heat.

The Power went to the first break scoreless in a stunning contrast to their record-breaking final-quarter surge against Hawthorn, with the oppressive conditions leaving them unable to recreate the contested, high-pressure style which served them so well in their first two finals.

North Melbourne handed the heat beautifully, showing off their superior fitness as they posted the third-highest score in an AFLW final.

The Roos had the luxury of managing returning captain Emma Kearney with immense caution, as the defensive general spent just 38 per cent of the game on the field with a 10-minute spell on the bench in every term.

There were no concerns though for her hamstring ahead of next week’s decider, while Tess Craven suffered a knock to her knee in the second quarter but was able to return to gather six more disposals after halftime.

Tahlia Randall enjoys a goal during North Melbourne’s preliminary final romp. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

LOCK IN EDDEY

Bella Eddey is having an exceptional impact for North Melbourne forward of centre in this finals campaign, and looms as a vital opponent to shut down in the Grand Final.

After 13 disposals and two goals in the qualifying final win over the Crows, Eddey kept getting her hands on the ball as the Kangaroos surged forward against the Power.

She delivered a beautiful, raking 45m kick into the path of Alice O’Loughlin for the Roos’ fourth goal of the opening term after a shocking turnover in the middle of the ground by Power youngster Shineah Goody, and finished with 13 disposals, three inside 50s and four score involvements.

Right place, right time, Taylah Gatt 👏#AFLWFinals | #AFLWNorthPowerpic.twitter.com/VE9beov6Nb

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 23, 2024

HIT THE WALL

The Power stemmed the bleeding for more than 10 minutes after halftime, but their resistance was shot when the strong-bodied Vikki Wall delivered two goals in a minute to take the Roos’ lead to 60 points.

A superb snap off her non-preferred right and a classy left-foot finish on the run meant that the Irishwoman’s goal song (John Cena’s wrestling anthem Our Time Is Now) was only paused for a matter of seconds before ringing out over Ikon Park once again.

Oh wow, O'Loughlin 🤩@Coles | #AFLWFinals | #AFLWNorthPowerpic.twitter.com/MdE3dOksXy

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 23, 2024

RISING STARS COOKED

It was young talent time for the Power as they stormed to consecutive finals victories in the last fortnight, but they clearly looked the younger and less physically developed side in the very literal heat of the battle.

Star midfielder Abbey Dowrick was held to only six disposals at halftime after coming off the high of her match-winning final quarter last week, while Matilda Scholz had her hands full in the ruck with the seasoned pairing of Kim Rennie and Emma King.

It could prove to be an important moment for the development of one of the competition’s most youthful and exciting sides.

Gatt ➡️ Wall ➡️ Garner

The Roos are off to a flying start.#AFLWFinals | #AFLWNorthPowerpic.twitter.com/lKKou4MG7X

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 23, 2024

SCOREBOARD

KANGAROOS 4.2, 8.4, 11.5, 12.6 (78)

POWER 0.0, 0.2, 0.6, 2.9 (21)

BEST Kangaroos: Garner, Tripodi, Smith, Riddell, Eddey, Bruton, Wall, Wright. Power: Window, Brooksby, Moloney, Foley, Dowrick, Houghton.

GOALS Kangaroos: Wall 3, O’Loughlin 2, Randall 2, Shierlaw 2, Gatt 2, Garner. Power: Houghton, Pope.

UMPIRES Nippress, Pearson, Porter

INJURIES Kangaroos: Craven (knee). Power: nil.

CROWD 4387 at Ikon Park