The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have sewn up the last finals spot by the skin of their teeth, beating Fremantle by one point in a thriller at Arden Street.

After trailing at three-quarter time, young forward Daisy Bateman showed great composure to take the lead, with the Roos holding on for dear life for the remaining seven minutes in the 4.6 (30) to 4.5 (29) win.

The Dockers had yet another slow start but charged home in the second half, starting to win more clearances and causing great panic in North's defensive line, with the hosts giving away numerous free kicks in front of goal.

North Melbourne had initially got off to a flyer, dominating the early stoppages before a clean, curling goal on the run from Sophie Abbatangelo.

But the Kangaroos were unable to capitalise on their early ball as a Freo defence – led by Janelle Cuthbertson, Laura Pugh and Ash Sharp – rebounded with ease, with the Roos recording just one first-quarter goal from 10 inside 50s.

Without integral midfielder Jenna Bruton (who was suspended for a dangerous tackle), Emma Kearney played more of a sweeping role, and had 11 touches in the first quarter. Ash Riddell picked up where the skipper left off after the first break with 19 to half-time and 33 by the final siren.

North key defender Tahlia Randall went over on her ankle after going up for a mark and left the ground in considerable pain in the third term, with Kiara Bowers capitalising on the opposition's lapse in concentration.

Randall later returned to play a key role in the final quarter.

After Emma O'Driscoll sprayed a rare shot in front of goal, Freo skipper Kara Antonio kicked a goal to put the team in the lead.

The fourth quarter kicked off with three straight behinds to North Melbourne as the Dockers struggled to clear their defensive half. 

Fremantle had an opportunity to take back the lead in the final 90 seconds after a superb passage of play with Kiara Bowers and Ebony Antonio showing incredible vision to pierce North's defence, but Tiah Haynes' set shot drifted wide.

Star Dockers forward Gemma Houghton could come under MRO scrutiny for a bizarre, deliberate late knee to Randall in a marking contest in the fourth quarter.

NORTH MELBOURNE     1.0     2.2     3.3     4.6 (30)
FREMANTLE     0.1     2.1     4.2     4.5 (29)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Abbatangelo, Bannister, Garner, Bateman
Fremantle: Houghton, O'Sullivan, Bowers, K. Antonio

BEST
North Melbourne: Riddell, Kearney, Garner, E.King, Bannister
Fremantle: Bowers, Cain, O'Sullivan, E. Antonio, Haynes 

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Randall (ankle) 
Fremantle: Nil 

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: TBC at Arden Street Oval