The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have ended the Western Bulldogs' unbeaten start to the AFLW season with a 15-point win on Grand Final Eve.  

In front of a capacity crowd at Punt Road Oval, the Kangaroos kicked four goals to two in the second half to run out winners 6.7 (43) to 4.4 (28), jumping into the top eight in the process.

BULLDOGS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Club champion Jasmine Garner starred once again for the Roos. Although she spent most of her time in the midfield, she continued to work her way up and down the corridor, either intercepting the Dogs' kicks into the centre or becoming the conduit for her own side's attacking transition thanks to her strength in the air and clean skills.

Garner finished the game with 26 disposals, seven marks, eight clearances and 537 metres gained.

North Melbourne was able to limit the Bulldogs' contested marking game, holding them to just five - half their average this season - while taking six themselves.

The Dogs had their moments - their ability to escape danger by hand was superb, with supporting runners always coming from behind. They used the ball well around the ground, methodically picking out targets, but poor decision-making going inside 50 allowed Sarah Wright to sit back and intercept.

On the flipside, they struggled to cleanly take the ball or hit targets because of the pressure the Roos were applying.

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The game broke open in the third quarter after a contested first half, as both sides found run and space to slingshot into attack, exemplified by a Bulldogs run down the wing ending in Rylie Wilcox's third goal for the season.

Jenna Bruton's running capacity and ability to find space outside the contest to clear the ball was vital, and she ended the game with 20 disposals and five clearances.

A late surge from the Bulldogs was quelled by a free kick reversal when Kirsty Lamb put down Emma Kearney with a strong bump off the ball deep into the final quarter.

The Roos have beaten the Bulldogs in their only two previous AFLW encounters, but it was clear from Friday afternoon's opening bounce they would need to scrap tooth and nail to deliver a hat-trick of wins in the fixture. 

Bella Eddey got the Roos on the board early before back-to-back Bulldog goals gave the home team a five-point lead at quarter time.

Efficient ball use by North's experienced midfield in the second quarter saw the Kangaroos dominate inside 50s, but a single goal to the lightning fast Vikki Wall was the side's only reward for effort before half-time.

Tess Craven's first AFLW goal gave the Roos breathing space in the final quarter, only for pocket-sized Bulldog Wilcox to kick her second, ensuring a tense finish.

It's a lockout!

At half-time, news filtered around the ground that Punt Road Oval had reached capacity and gates were shut. As a helicopter flew persistently overhead and trains rattled past Richmond station, fans could be seen hanging off the outer fence peering in on the game. Public holiday footy goes alright

Did you see that?

Vikki Wall's pirouette on the half-forward flank midway through the third quarter was as good as any AFLW play so far in season 7. Equally impressive was her poise after sitting down her Bulldog opponent to measure a pass for Tahlia Randall in the forward pocket. The Kangaroos' No.13 has earned plaudits for her turn of pace since arriving from Ireland in pre-season, but it might be time to also acknowledge her outstanding game sense and agility.

Under pressure

North Melbourne's pressure had the Bulldogs off guard right from the opening bounce. The way the Kangaroos mobbed the ball carrier from contest to contest had their opponents panicked and fumbling. Not only did that pressure lead to multiple holding-the-ball free kicks, but it also worried the Dogs' typically calm and collected backline into errors they usually would not make. Dropped marks, off target kicks, which turned into perceived pressure, played directly into the Roos' hands for much of the first half.

Out we come to play

If there was any doubt at quarter time whether the Roos meant business, Randall buried them moments into the second term. The imposing Roo used all of her body strength to barrel Eleanor Brown off the ball on the half-forward flank, clearing the way for Wall to gallop into an unguarded goal. In a closely-fought contest it was an important statement of intent.

What the coach said

"We thought it was far closer to the four-quarter performance that we've been searching for. We've just had moments in games that have let us down in the first four rounds. For large parts of that game we were really challenged - they (Bulldogs) weren't 4-0 for no reason. We had the game looking the way we'd like it to." - North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker

What's next?

The Kangaroos return to their Arden St home for the first time this season to host AFLW newcomers Sydney. The Swans will be desperate to put a stamp on their inaugural season by springing an upset, while the Roos will be determined to deliver in front of the North faithful. Bouncedown is at 5.10pm AEST on Sunday, October 2.

WESTERN BULLDOGS         2.1   2.1   3.4   4.4 (28)
NORTH MELBOURNE          1.2   2.4   4.4   6.7 (43)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Wilcox 2, Cranston, Moody
North Melbourne: Abbatangelo, Craven, Eddey, E King, Randall, Wall

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Edmonds, Berry, Georgostathis, Blackburn
North Melbourne: Garner, Bresnehan, Wright, Bruton

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil