The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos can prepare for a qualifying final after closing out the AFLW home-and-away season with a 46-point win over the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday.

They held the Dogs scoreless in the first half before coasting to win 7.13 (55) to 1.3 (9).

BULLDOGS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The win secured third spot on the AFLW ladder for the Kangaroos, and Brisbane's win over Melbourne later on Saturday confirmed North Melbourne's qualifying final will be against the Demons at Ikon Park on Sunday.

Jas Garner continued her outstanding individual season with another best-afield performance against the rebuilding Bulldogs.

The three-time club champion continued her goalkicking ways with two majors to go with her 31 disposals, and led all comers with eight clearances and eight tackles.

She was ably supported by competition disposals leader Ash Riddell, who improved her season average with another 36 touches, a game-high six inside 50s and 678m gained. 

Irish defender Erika O'Shea capped a classy Kangaroo performance with a memorable moment, kicking her first ever AFLW goal after being moved into the forward line in the final quarter.

There was a sense of stagnancy in the Bulldogs, trying to eke the ball forward once possession was won, but against the best defensive side in the league they were doing themselves no favours.

North Melbourne, however, was ready and willing to move fast through the middle of the ground. Always working in support of one another, and often kickstarted by captain Emma Kearney at half-back.

Kim Rennie (13 disposals, six marks) was an aerial force early in the game, patrolling the wing and taking important marks to maintain the Kangaroos' chain of possession down the ground, while Amy Smith's no-fuss style of play resulted in an important 14 disposals and five tackles.

Jas dazzles again

Only against the Demons has Jas Garner arguably lowered her colours this season, and the Kangaroos champ again put herself in contention for AFLW best and fairest votes at Whitten Oval. She led all comers with eight clearances and eight tackles, and was a continual menace going forward, kicking 2.2. Garner has two AFLCA Champion Player of the Year awards already in her locker and a third potentially on the way. Could the League's biggest individual award finally be hers this season? 

Back in a Flash

Nicole 'Flash' Bresnehan looked assured in her AFLW return after missing five games due to a left ankle syndesmosis injury. While the club's co-vice-captain had relatively little to do in defence, she underlined what she adds to the side by breaking forward to contribute three inside 50s and five score involvements, the best of which set up a first-half opportunity for Niamh Martin. With finals just around the corner, there couldn't be a better time for the Roos to add another dimension to their backline.

What's next?

Having secured third place on the AFLW ladder, North Melbourne will play a qualifying final against Melbourne at Ikon Park on Sunday. The Demons ran out 23-point victors when the teams last met in Round 8, and the Kangaroos will be determined to reverse that result and book a week off ahead of a preliminary final. The opening bounce will be at 3.05pm AEDT. 

Western Bulldogs     0.0   0.0   0.1     1.3 (9)
North Melbourne      3.3   4.9   5.11   7.13 (55)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Gutknecht
North Melbourne: Garner 2, Gavalas, E King, O'Shea, Randall, Shierlaw

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Smith, Blackburn, Georgostathis, Grant, Newton
North Melbourne: Garner, Kearney, Riddell, Rennie, Smith

INJURIES 
Nil

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Millie Brown (knee soreness) and Heidi Woodley replaced in the selected side by Sarah Skinner and Dominique Carbone 
North Melbourne: Mia King (general soreness), replaced in the selected side by Ruby Tripodi

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2,608 at Whitten Oval