With the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos taking on Collingwood in this week’s qualifying final, their meeting in the home and away season has been put under the microscope.
Collingwood emerged as the victors from that clash, as its stingy defence kept a usually free-scoring North side goalless, taking the game by 20 points.
Despite that disappointing result, Kaitlyn Ashmore has full faith in her side to flip the narrative and come away with the win this weekend.
“Our delivery inside 50 was horrible (last time) … they’ve (the Magpies) probably got the best defence in the league and were just picking them off in the air,” Ashmore told Fox Sports.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re better going through the middle and keeping that pressure on so it’s harder for them to take the ball down the ground.
“We’ve got to be smarter with our entries and make sure to bring the heat around the ground.”
This weekend’s game also has personal meaning for Ashmore, as she will become the first player in AFLW history to reach 40 games.
Moving from Brisbane to North in 2018, the number 10 has been crucial to team success, wherever she’s played.
A former Olympic hopeful, she credits her approach to recovery for her record-breaking longevity.
“At the very start of AFLW, it was only a few games a season. Now it’s getting more and I’m working more as well, so it is quite hard,” Ashmore said.
“Whether it’s a morning walk, something extra before work or extra ice baths throughout the week … I just have to make sure I’m going to do it - because if I don’t do it, that’s when I break down.
“Now I’m getting a bit older I think I’m a lot more vigilant with that stuff … as soon as the game is finished I’m recovering for a couple of days.”
