The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos will draw "enormous confidence and belief" from Sunday's win over previously unbeaten Fremantle in Hobart, coach Darren Crocker says.
Second half goals to Bella Eddey and Tahlia Randall proved the difference in the tense 10-point win, with the Dockers failing to kick a goal in the final term despite placing the North defence under pressure for much of the quarter.
“That should give them enormous confidence and belief," Crocker said.
"[It's] evidence that when we get our game looking the way we want it to look … the concepts we’ve spent so much time over pre-season building … if we get all that right and we don’t go away from it we can be a really hard team to beat."
The Kangaroos dominated the second and third quarters at North Hobart Oval and had 11 scoring shots to Fremantle's six, but inaccurate goalkicking kept the Dockers in the game until Randall kicked the sealer.
>> MATCH CENTRE: All the news, stats and highlights from Sunday's win in Hobart
"Fremantle obviously came pretty hard late, but I thought, for the most part, we had the game looking how we wanted it to look," Crocker said.
“[It’s] really encouraging and great evidence for our players that we can match it against the best.”
In the absence of reigning league best and fairest winner Kiara Bowers, North’s midfield ran riot, with All Australian Jasmine Garner returning to her brilliant best.
Registering 29 disposals with three behinds, Garner was a constant attacking presence and was ably supported by Ash Riddell (24 touches, eight tackles) and Mia King (17 disposals, four tackles).
"Today it was 'Jammin's' (Garner's) turn to have a really strong game and it was really pleasing for her to get back to some of her best footy,” Crocker said.
“There’s been a lot of plaudits for Ash Riddell and the way she’s started the season, but … with the emergence of Mia King, the growth of Ellie Gavalas, Jenna Bruton going back inside so we get that inside/outside player, it’s going to be a hard midfield to match up on.
“Hopefully we can continue to get someone off the leash … I think the strength of our midfield is as a unit, not just any particular individuals."
Sunday’s victory continues North’s unbeaten record in Tasmania since the club's admission into the AFLW competition in 2019.
“The Tassie audience have really got behind us. Our Tassie fans really look forward to us coming down here and putting our best foot forward,” Crocker said.
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