The AFLW is back, and the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos will be out to keep their undefeated record running in the Apple Isle when they host St Kilda in Hobart.

The Roos will be led by skipper Emma Kearney for a sixth straight season but will be without Jenna Bruton for the season-opener and beyond after the onballer was ruled out for up to a month due to a calf strain earlier in the week.

However, after a strong pre-season, the Roos are primed to hit the ground running at Blundstone Arena with a relatively new-look line-up.

Set your matchday reminders

Sunday, September 3
North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos v St Kilda at Blundstone Arena, 1.05pm AEST

So you don't miss it, or any other games this season, make sure to sync the fixture to your calendar.

The opposition

The Saints had themselves a big off-season, recruiting key forward and last season's League-leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw from Brisbane to replace new Roo Kate Shierlaw, as well as Steph Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert, Nat Plane and Serene Watson.

The club is yet to truly stamp its name on the competition since entering in 2020 but has set itself up to contend for a top-eight position this season despite losing its Season 7 best-and-fairest-winner, Shierlaw.

Keep an eye on...

Ruby Tripodi

Having done a mountain of work since being selected with pick No.23 in April's AFLW Supplementary Draft, Ruby Tripodi has been given the opportunity to make her AFLW debut.

The No.19 is a versatile prospect can win the ball in midfield and hit the scoreboard as a forward, which she did in North Melbourne's practice match against the Bulldogs, kicking two goals.

She'll have some classy support around wherever she ends up starting on Sunday, which should help her ease into things.

Last time we met

You have to go back to February 7, 2021, to find the last time North Melbourne and St Kilda faced off.

The clubs locked horns at Arden Street Oval in Round 2 and it was the Kangas who overwhelmed a young Saints outfit after the main break, with the home side kicking 3.3 to the visitors no score in the second half.

Kearney and Bruton combined for 45 disposals, while Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell kicked one goal each with the former also extracting a game-high eight clearances.

Free entry

Entry into Blundstone Arena will be free for our Round 1 clash so whether you're a Tassie-based North fan or thinking of travelling from elsewhere, get down to the ground to cheer on the Roos.

Membership

The Kangaroos' journey continues in 2023 as Darren Crocker's group begins its path towards silverware.

If you haven't already, become an AFLW 2023 North Melbourne member.

Joining up is a great way to support not only the AFLW team, but the entire football club and AFLW competition.

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Sunday's game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

Team selection

North Melbourne revealed its extended squad for Sunday's clash on Thursday night and will lock in its starting 21 on Friday at 5pm.

A Festival of Tassie Footy

Join us in celebrating Tassie football this weekend! Gates will be open from 9am-6pm.

10am - SFLW Preliminary Final: Clarence takes on Kingborough in the final day of the SFLW season.
1.05pm - AFLW Round 1: The Roos host St Kilda as they look to start their push for silverware off strongly.
3.30pm - STJFL Grand Final: Wrapping up the celebration of Tasmanian footy, North Hobart takes on Lauderdale for the STJFL premiership.

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.
 
Follow the @NMFCWomens accounts on Instagram, Facebook and X to stay up to date with everything happening at the match.

Bring on Round 1! 

Classy North Melbourne midfielder Jasmine Garner dictated play from the first few seconds of the match as the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos charged to a comfortable 40-point opening round win over St Kilda at Blundstone Arena on Sunday.

The Kangaroos scored the first 37 points of the game and kept the Saints scoreless in the first half on their way to recording the 8.8 (56) to 2.4 (16) victory.

The Saints came out snarling after half-time, but inaccurate kicking meant they only outscored North by nine points to trail by 27 going into the final quarter.

North punished them for their profligacy with the Kangaroos kicking the first three goals of the final quarter.

Five-time All-Australian Garner won the first clearance of the game and within 20 seconds booted a fine goal on the run from 45m.

Garner produced a complete midfielder's game notching an equal game-high 29 possessions as well as game-highs in clearances (11) and metres gained (473m).

Ash Riddell also chalked up 29 touches while Emma Kearney (20) and Mia King (21) also did plenty of good work.

KANGAROOS v SAINTS Full match coverage and stats

North's Emma King and Tahlia Randall both kicked two goals, though the latter managed just two points from her first three shots.

The amount of defensive work Saints did was highlighted by the fact they had the game's top two tacklers in Nicola Xenos with 11 and Hannah Priest, 10.

North was ahead 21-0 at quarter-time and 36-0 at half-time, as the Saints struggled to fashion scoring opportunities.

The Saints finally got on the board six minutes into the third quarter, when Hannah Stuart converted a set shot after being awarded a free kick.

They had the next four shots as well, but missed the opportunity to put more scoreboard pressure on as all of them produced a behind and North regained the ascendancy in the fourth quarter.

NORTH MELBOURNE     3.3     5.6     5.7     8.8 (56)
ST KILDA                       0.0     0.0     1.4     2.4 (16)

GOALS
North Melbourne: King 2, Randall 2, Garner, O'Loughlin, Shierlaw, Tripodi
St Kilda: Patrikios, Stuart

BEST
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Shierlaw, King, Kearney, Smith
St Kilda: Xenos, Priest, Patrikios, Stuart, Vesely

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
St Kilda: Nil

Crowd: 2,454 at Blundstone Arena