It's been a turbulent ride for North Melbourne's VFLW side this season.

With a fresh influx of talent, the Roos were primed to push for finals in 2024, and under the guidance of new senior coach Brett Gourley they started sprightly by winning their opening two fixtures.

A mid-season form slump saw the Roos lose four out of their next five games, but a change of script saw the club surge into the top six, winning seven of their next eight games to clinch fourth spot and a historic first finals appearance after four attempts.

Before Sunday's big dance, NMFC Media has gone through the journey of how North Melbourne secured a VFLW Grand Final berth for the first time in its history.

Round 1: Western Bulldogs 6.7 (43) def. by North Melbourne 10.5 (65) @ Mission Whitten Oval

Coincidentally, the Kangas kicked off their campaign against eventual Grand Final opponents – the Western Bulldogs – at Mission Whitten Oval.

The Dogs proved difficult to shake off for the Roos, but despite the challenges posed by the home side, it was new Shinboners Tahlia Meier, Matilda Zander, Amanda Ling, Maddie Di Cosmo and Nyakoat Dojiok who stood up when it mattered to lead North Melbourne to a season-opening victory.

Round 2: North Melbourne 4.5 (29) def. Carlton 1.2 (8) @ Arden Street Oval

After trumping the Dogs, North Melbourne had its eyes set on Carlton.

The midfield duo of Di Cosmo (18 disposals, 18 tackles) and Audrey Rhodes (12 disposals, 16 tackles) were catalysts for the win, with their tackle pressure a highlight of the Good Friday clash at Arden Street Oval.

Dojiok again provided a spark in the Roos' forward line, kicking three goals to go along with 21 disposals as the Kangas went on to secure their second win on the trot.

Round 3: North Melbourne 4.7 (31) def. by Casey 5.4 (34) @ Arden Street Oval

North Melbourne headed into Round 3's fixture against Casey full of confidence as it looked for its third win in a row, but it wasn't to be for Gourley's side as it fell by three points in a thrilling finish.

A strong opening term from the Demons saw them control proceedings early, but a second-quarter goal to Dojiok meant the Roos only trailed by two points at the main break.

Following half-time, no team managed to gain an advantage greater than five points, until Renee Tierney crumbed a pack and goaled to hand the Kangas a lead with seven minutes left.

However, with just 60 seconds remaining, Casey's Jo Lin claimed a pack mark and slotted the go-ahead goal to hand North Melbourne its first defeat of the year.

Round 4: Sydney 17.12 (114) def. North Melbourne 4.1 (25) @ Henson Park
Round 5: Box Hill Hawks 11.11 (77) def. North Melbourne 4.3 (27) @ Box Hill City Oval

The next fortnight proved difficult, but it was a period for learning for the Roos as both Sydney and Box Hill showed their polish and sharpness with handfuls of experienced AFLW talent suiting up for both sides.

"It's a fantastic learning experience for our girls, we'll take a lot out of it as a team, but also as individuals as well," Gourley said post-game v Sydney.

"A lot of our girls (will) hopefully learn a little bit more about what it takes to get to the next level and the effort and the workrate that's required to play AFLW."

Round 6: North Melbourne 5.5 (35) def. by Geelong 8.11 (59) @ Arden Street Oval

On the back of two gruelling losses away from home, North Melbourne returned to Arden Street with the hopes of turning their fortunes around against the Cats.

The visiting Cats had other ideas though and found ways to keep the Kangas at arm's length for the entire game as they handed the home outfit its fourth loss in a row.

Round 7: Southern Saints 3.5 (23) def. by North Melbourne 3.6 (24) @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval

With its season hanging on by a thread, North Melbourne made the trip to Trevor Barker Beach Oval for a clash with the Saints.

The Roos trailed for the majority of the low-scoring affair by the bay, but two fourth-quarter behinds and a major from Brooke Sheridan and a last-gasp intercept mark by Nicole Hales saw the Kangas get over the line and return to the winners list.

Round 8: Williamstown 4.8 (32) def. North Melbourne 4.4 (28) @ DSV Stadium

Despite the standout efforts from midfielder Alana Barba (22 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances) and Dojiok (three goals, 15 disposals), it wasn’t enough to stop the resilient Seagulls pulling away late to win by four points.

It was a gut-wrenching away loss for the Roos who dominated the disposal the count 236-176.

Round 9: North Melbourne 10.9 (69) def. Essendon 0.3 (3) @ Arden Street Oval

With six games to go in the home and away season, the ninth-placed Kangas sought their fourth win of the year.

Leading from start to finish, North Melbourne clicked on all fronts and ran roughshod to put the Bombers to the sword and come out 66-point winners.

Barba, Dojiok and Zara Flanigan all booted two goals apiece, but the cherry on top was managing to keep the Dons goalless.

Round 10: Collingwood 1.3 (9) def. by North Melbourne 1.8 (14) @ Victoria Park

Seeking back-to-back wins for the first time since the start of the season, North Melbourne faced off against Collingwood at Victoria Park. 

In a game that was riddled with missed opportunities, the first goal didn't arrive until three minutes into the third quarter when crafty small forward Tahlia Meier broke the deadlock.

Meier's solitary major for the Roos was just enough to get them across the line, while late efforts on the goal line from Jess Jones and Sarah Hosking were crucial in helping secure the four points.

Round 11: North Melbourne 5.7 (37) def. Darebin 5.1 (31) @ Avalon Airport Oval

Having won three in a row, the in-form Falcons were looking to claim another scalp as they met the Roos in neutral territory.

The Kangas trailed at quarter-time, but three goals in three minutes towards the back-end of the second term proved valuable as they hung on by six points in greasy conditions.

Tierney starred for North Melbourne, collecting 33 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances, while Emily Paterno and Dojiok slotted two goals each.

Round 12: Port Melbourne 5.5 (35) def. by North Melbourne 7.4 (46) @ ETU Stadium

Next was a clash with the reigning premiers under ETU Stadium's Friday night lights.

A second-quarter onslaught from the Roos saw them kick four goals to Port Melbourne's one behind, which put them in the box seat to secure the four points.

The round marked another impressive outing for Barba who proved to be a difference-maker as she kicked a game-high three goals to go along with 22 disposals, 11 tackles, and seven clearances.

Round 13: North Melbourne 7.4 (46) def. Box Hill Hawks 5.7 (37) @ Arden Street Oval

Round 13 saw the Roos presented with an opportunity to not only exact revenge on Box Hill, but clinch a finals berth in the process.

Much like the game against Port Melbourne, North Melbourne took an early lead and never relinquished it, going on to win by nine points with Dojiok kicking three three goals and Barba and Tierney tallying 22 touches each.

Round 14: North Melbourne 6.7 (43) def. by Western Bulldogs 7.8 (50) @ Arden Street Oval

North Melbourne's five-game win streak was culled by the Bulldogs on the eve of finals, as the latter triumphed in a back-and-forth affair at Arden Street.

Although the game was close all day, the Dogs proved too good as the final siren approached, kicking two goals to one in the final term to run out seven-point winners and even the ledger.

Elimination final: North Melbourne 12.4 (76) def. Essendon 2.1 (13) @ Arden Street Oval

Solidifying themselves as true flag contenders, a seven-goal second half saw the Kangas surge home to knock off Essendon in its first ever final.

North Melbourne conceded the first goal of the knockout clash but would only let through one more as it cruised to a 63-point win.

The onball trio of Alana Barba, Maddie Di Cosmo and Audrey Rhodes were unstoppable, combining for 28 clearances and 40 tackles.

Semi-final: Williamstown 5.5 (35) def. by North Melbourne 8.5 (53) @ DSV Stadium

Following its huge elimination final victory against the Bombers, North Melbourne had the chance to punch its Grand Final ticket, but it needed to get past the minor premiers to do so. 

It was the Seagulls who pinched the game's opening two goals, but a six-goal flurry in the second term created a buffer that would ultimately put the Roos out of reach of the home side.

Barba put the result to bed in scintillating fashion with a running goal on the verge of the full-time siren to propel her side into the big dance.