The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have opened their AFLW account in fine style with a dominant 36-point win over Carlton at North Hobart Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Led superbly by midfield duo Ashleigh Riddell and Emma Kearney, the Kangaroos jumped to a 24-point lead during an impressive three-goal second quarter burst and were rarely troubled after the long break, cruising to a 7.10 (52) to 2.4 (16) victory at their southern home.

Much of the talk ahead of North Melbourne’s debut in the AFLW revolved around their high-profile recruits and it was the likes of former Magpies Emma King (two goals and seven tackles), Moana Hope (one goal) and Jessica Duffin (18 disposals and seven marks) who led the way in the first half.

For Carlton, Tayla Harris provided a lively target in the forward half but the Blues struggled to capitalise on forward entries, a stat they won 29-26, as the Kangaroos rebounded time and again and were able to control the game with superior foot skills and spread from the contest.

North’s first AFLW goal came courtesy of the impressive King who kicked truly from the right forward pocket in front of North Hobart Oval’s iconic Horrie Gorringe stand midway through the opening term.

Reigning AFLW best and fairest Kearney was forced to work her way into the contest having been kept very quiet by the close-marking Jess Edwards during a tight opening term, but ran the game out well to finish with an equal game-high 18 disposals and five tackles.

More to come

NORTH MELBOURNE 1.4     4.8     6.9      7.10 (52)                  
CARLTON                    1.2     1.2     2.2     2.4 (16)           

GOALS


North Melbourne: King 2, Garner, Hope, Drennan, Riddell, Gibson
Carlton: Edwards, Davey  

BEST 

North Melbourne: Riddell, King, Garner, Kearney, Duffin
Carlton: Harris, Edwards, Prespakis 

INJURIES 


North Melbourne: TBC
Carlton: TBC

Reports: Nil
Umpires: TBC
Estimated crowd: 4000 at North Hobart Oval (TBC)