Source : ABC NEWS
A North Melbourne trio have shared the spoils in the latest flex from the AFLW powerhouses, a 47-point belting of the Western Bulldogs.
The Roos, with Blaithin Bogue, Alice O’Loughlin and Kate Shierlaw kicking two goals each in a 11.4 (70) to 3.5 (23) triumph in Launceston, stretch their winning streak to 30 consecutive matches.
Also on Saturday, the Crows defeated West Coast by 17 points in Adelaide for a first win under new coach Ryan Davis, and Sydney Swans went 3-0 to start the season with a 23-point win over St Kilda.
The Kangaroos continued their hunt for a third straight premiership in Tasmania and accelerated away from the previously undefeated Bulldogs after a tight opening.
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The Roos led by one point at quarter-time before seizing control with eight of the next nine goals in a contest marred by a horrible jumper clash — both clubs in predominantly blue and white guernseys, and blue shorts.
“To be honest, it was really challenging at times,” North’s Shierlaw told Fox Footy of the kit clash.
Bogue, O’Loughlin and Shierlaw were prominent and teammates Tess Craven, Ruby Tripodi, Tahlia Randall, Jasmine Garner and Emma King also kicked majors.
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Midfield megastars Ash Riddell (32 disposals) and Garner (27) were outstanding.
The Dogs slipped to their first loss of the season, despite the best efforts of Isabelle Pritchard (21 touches), Jess Fitzgerald (22) and Jasmyn Smith (18).
Neither team could muster a goal amid fierce pressure, until the stalemate was broken with about two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Dogs produced a fast break from half-back and Sarah Hartwig was the end link in the goal-scoring chain.
The Kangaroos replied almost instantly, with towering King using her height for a strong mark, followed by an accurate conversion.
North led 1.2 to 1.1 at quarter-time and then made the decisive break, kicking three goals to one to seize momentum and create a 14-point halftime edge.
The powerhouses steamed further away in the third quarter to hold a 30-point advantage at three-quarter time, before cruising to victory.
In Adelaide, the Crows logged a hard-fought victory against West Coast, 9.6 (60) to 6.7 (43), in a clash of previously winless clubs.
Adelaide set up the win with six goals to two in the second term, creating a 27-point halftime buffer.
And with stalwart Ebony Marinoff gathering 26 disposals, laying 15 tackles and kicking a goal, the Crows held off a plucky Eagles outfit in the second half.
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Marinoff, Madison Newman (23 touches, one goal) and Grace Egan (two goals) were standouts for the Crows.
In Indigenous Round, Ngiyampaa woman and Crows defender Jemmika Douglas produced a moment of magic for her first goal in AFLW, kicking a perfect checkside from the right forward pocket in the second half.
West Coast suffered a third straight loss despite the impact of Ella Roberts, who collected an equal game-high 26 possessions, Charlotte Thomas (22) and Isabella Lewis (19).
In the final game of the day, Sydney Swans maintained their 100 per cent record, with a 23-point win over St Kilda at Coffs Harbour.
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The Swans benefited from St Kilda’s failure to convert. The Saints led by four points at quarter time, 0.4 to 0.0.
But Sydney bounced back in the second term to lead by 11 at the long break.
They kicked 1.3 to 0.2 in the third term to set up a game-winning 18-point break, and then a series of early misses in the final term by Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw left St Kilda struggling, before Darcy Guttridge finally got them on the board.
But goals to Sarah Grunden and Paris McCarthy saw the Swans run out winners by 5.8 (38) to 1.9 (15).
The loss was compounded for St Kilda, with Alice Burke coming off the ground in the third quarter with a knee injury and was ruled out of the game.
AAP/ABC
