The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos will head to Western Australia for the first time since March 2019, to face Fremantle.

Although it was 'messy' according to Kangaroos senior coach Darren Crocker, the Roos chipped away at the Giants in Round 5 to claim their fourth win of the season.

Ash Riddell was unstoppable with 32 touches and 12 clearances at Arden Street, and will look to bring the same intensity to Fremantle Oval this Sunday.

Set your matchday reminders

Sunday, October 8
Fremantle v North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at Fremantle Oval, 5.05pm AEDT (2.05pm AWST)

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

The opposition

The fast-starting Dockers managed to hold Richmond at bay at Ikon Park last weekend, to claim a seven-point victory without star duo Kiara Bowers and Ebony Antonio.

Lisa Webb and her group are equal on points with the fifth-placed Suns after five matches, but with a percentage of 92.2 they sit 10th on the table behind the other six three-win clubs.

Forward Aine Tighe will be one to keep an eye on during Sunday's clash. Freo's main target inside 50 has kicked six goals and polled 22 AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year Award votes from her five appearances this year.

The in-form Roo

Ash Riddell

Following a solid outing against the Lions in Launceston, Riddell kicked into another gear against the Giants in Round 5.

The star onballer tallied 32 possessions (16 contested) and won a game-high 12 clearances in her side's 30-point win.

It was more than enough for her to receive a perfect 10 coaches' votes from Darren Crocker and GWS senior coach Cam Bernasconi.

Last time we met

North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos 4.7 (31) def. by Fremantle 11.3 (69), Qualifying final, 2022 S6

It was the Dockers' day last time the two clubs met, wth Fremantle knocking North Melbourne out of the 2022 Season 6 finals with a 38-point qualifying final win at Arden Street Oval.

The Roos got off to a slightly better start, but from quarter-time onwards it was all Fremantle as the visitors booted 10 goals to North Melbourne's three following the first change.

Ash Riddell (23 disposals) and Emma Kearney (22 disposals) were two of the home outfit's best, while Mia King laid a game-high nine tackles.

Ticketing

Whether you're a Western Australian-based fan or you're thinking of taking the trip over to Fremantle, grab your tickets for the game here!

Membership

The Kangaroos' journey rolls on in 2023 as Darren Crocker's group continues 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 for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

Team selection

North Melbourne will name its extended squad at 6.20pm on Thursday before revealing its final 21-player side on Friday at 5pm.

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 the Dockers!

A powerful North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos outfit has stormed over Fremantle to claim a crucial win on the road, ending the match with seven unanswered goals - four from Tahlia Randall - to win by 45 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday.

Led by brilliant midfielder Jasmine Garner, the Kangaroos soaked up the Dockers’ best and controlled the game through the second half, kicking their equal highest score this season to win 10.6 (66) to 3.3 (21).

Garner was unstoppable in the midfield battles, finishing with 30 disposals and 12 inside 50s, while Ash Riddell was prolific with 37 possessions (16 contested) and six clearances.  

With support from Jenna Bruton (27 and four clearances) and Mia King (21 and six), the Kangaroos delivered on their status as the AFLW’s best stoppage team and gained a territory foothold that put the Dockers on the back foot throughout.

The final inside 50s read 48-18 – an incredibly lopsided result that made it impossible for Fremantle’s forwards and made for a long day in the backline.

DOCKERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Emma O’Driscoll marshalled the defence well for the Dockers and finished with 28 disposals and eight rebounds, but the Kangaroos’ tall forwards got on top by the end in a powerful second half surge.  

Only four points separated the teams late in the second term after a tight battle, but Randall converted after the siren to give the Kangaroos momentum they would take into the second half.

They got the crucial break in the third, kicking back-to-back goals and holding Fremantle scoreless. The Dockers needed to move quickly to start the fourth, but, as for much of the day, it was Kate Shierlaw (two goals) and Randall (five) combining early in the fourth for the goal that broke their backs.

Bruton joins 1000 club

In her 50th game as a North Melbourne player, midfielder Jenna Bruton became just the 16th player in AFLW history to win 1,000 disposals. The understated star of the Kangaroos’ powerful onball unit, Bruton needed 22 disposals to hit the milestone on Sunday, and got there early in the fourth quarter. She powered on to finish with 27 in an excellent game.   

What's next?

The Dockers are on the road to take on Geelong next Saturday at GMHBA Stadium, where they last played an AFLW match in 2019, winning by 13 points. North Melbourne is back at home to meet Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) at Arden Street Oval on Sunday for Indigenous Round, having beaten the Power by 25 points at Alberton last season.

FREMANTLE                         1.1   3.1   3.1   3.3 (21)
NORTH MELBOURNE           1.5   4.5   6.5   10.6 (66)

GOALS
Fremantle: Antonio, Lally, Tighe
North Melbourne: Randall 5, Shierlaw 2, Craven, Eddey, O’Loughlin

BEST
Fremantle: O’Driscoll, East, Strom, Verrier
North Melbourne: Garner, Randall, Riddell, Shierlaw, Bruton, M. King

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

Crowd: 2,022 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval