The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos are in the box seat to claim the AFLW minor premiership after surviving a heavyweight contest against Kuwarna (Adelaide) at Norwood Oval on Friday night.

In a clash between two of this season's genuine challengers, the Kangaroos matched the Crows' desperate pressure with an unrelenting intensity of their own.

The Roos made the Crows pay for missed chances before holding off a late charge on their way to a 6.5 (41) to 4.9 (33) victory.

CROWS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Superstar Jasmine Garner delivered another brilliant individual performance, kicking two goals from 27 possessions, 12 of which were contested, as well as five clearances. Ash Riddell (25 touches and seven clearances) was also important.

Ebony Marinoff (25 disposals and 17 tackles) continued her strong season for the Crows, but they were punished for inaccurate goalkicking – particularly in the first half – in what may prove to be a costly loss.

Opportunistic goals to Kate Shierlaw and Garner handed North Melbourne a lead at the first change as the Crows flew in at every contest, but the Roos soon found themselves under siege.

Kuwarna launched repeated raids inside 50 in the second term, missing a string of opportunities before deservedly hitting the lead through imposing forward Danielle Ponter.

Irish bull Vikki Wall was in the thick of the action as North Melbourne hit back, spraying one shot at goal after a mark, before coolly converting after a punishing front-on collision moments later.

MAZDA NEXT LEVEL PERFORMER Vote for the best Kangaroo against the Crows

A brilliant team goal kicked by Garner was the third-quarter highlight as the Roos powered towards an imposing 20-point lead at the last change.

But with their spot in the top four potentially at stake, the Crows were not done. Ponter began the final term by kicking two goals in three minutes, drawing Kuwarna within eight points.

Though they managed just one behind for the quarter, the Roos showed superb composure in locking the game down to close out their most hard-earned win of the season to date. 

Garner puts on a show

North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner continued her fine season. The midfielder gathered 27 disposals, had eight tackles and five clearances against the Crows, but it was her ability to hit the scoreboard which was a huge factor. Garner kicked two goals, including producing something out of nothing with a snap out of a pack in the first quarter, in the Roos' win.

Next up

The Roos return to Arden St Oval with a chance to seal the minor premiership in a Saturday twilight match in front of the North Melbourne faithful. Opponents Gold Coast have a win and a draw from their nine matches to date, with a Week 9 match-up still to come against Port Adelaide. The opening bounce at Arden St will be at 5.05pm AEDT.

KUWARNA                      1.3   2.5     2.8   4.9 (33)
NORTH MELBOURNE     2.1    4.3    6.4   6.5 (41)

GOALS
Kuwarna: Ponter 3, Gould
North Melbourne: Shierlaw 2, Garner 2, Eddey, Wall

BEST 
Kuwarna: Marinoff, Ponter, Biddell, Hatchard, Gould 
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Shierlaw, Bresnehan, Wall

INJURIES
Kuwarna: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil