After the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos’ thrilling one-point win over Fremantle last week, midfielder Ellie Gavalas was one of many players feeling the rush.

The win assured North of a place in the 2021 AFLW finals, as it plays Collingwood in a do-or-die qualifying final on Saturday.

Gavalas says the feelings and emotions that flooded in after the final siren were some of the best of her career, but the side is firmly focused on the foreseeable future.

“Obviously when the siren went we were all just very, very happy and very excited,” Gavalas told The Mercury.

“We were just [feeling] pure excitement, [a] bit of relief, and I think it gave the team a lot of belief for the next two weeks.”

North and Collingwood already have a budding finals rivalry, as North defeated the Magpies by just two-points in last year’s series.

The two sides also met in the home and away season, with the Magpies keeping a usually free flowing North attack goalless for the game, however Gavalas says the team has put that result behind them.

“Collingwood is a really strong side this year, so we’re pretty excited for the challenge again,” she said.

“We’ve definitely evolved over the past month or two since we played them, so we’re feeling pretty confident.”

North’s strong relationship with Tasmania is evident through its AFLW side, with a host of Tasmanians playing key parts in the club’s ascension to finals.

Gavalas, Nicole Bresnehan, Daria Bannister and Mia King have all played key roles for North Melbourne this season, and Gavalas says their success has a positive effect on the team.

“It’s been great having them around three times a week with training and then games, so I think it’s shown in their performances this year, they’ve all really stepped up,” she said.

“The whole squad mentality and having them up has been important for our culture as well and being connected as a big group.”