North Melbourne has notched up its twenty fifth straight win and secured a house preliminary closing after steamrolling an injury-ravaged Hawthorn aspect by 39 factors.
It was all North Melbourne on the scoreboard at Princes Park, with the defending premiers holding Hawthorn goalless in a 5.12 (42) to 0.3 (3) qualifying closing victory on Friday evening.
The Kangaroos earn per week off, whereas the Hawks are tossed right into a sudden-death semifinal towards the winners of Saturday’s elimination closing between Carlton and West Coast.
The reigning premiers had thrashed Hawthorn by 49 factors final week to eclipse Geelong’s VFL/AFL document of 23 straight victories.
Hawthorn refused to be blown away once more on Friday and remained shut till damage carnage struck within the third quarter.
Hawks ahead Kaitlyn Ashmore went down first with a calf damage, earlier than Emily Everist (concussion) and Laura Elliott (chest) adopted.
North Melbourne’s powerhouse duo Jasmine Garner (26 disposals, 4 clearances) and Ash Riddell (26, two) had their normal impression in a decent contest, whereas Erika O’Shea and Libby Birch shone in defence.
Eliza West (24, 4) once more led the way in which for Hawthorn, however the star midfielder lacked assist across the contest.
Simply as that they had began final week at Frankston Oval, the Kangaroos saved the Hawks goalless to take a 10-point lead at quarter-time.
It was the fiftieth time in North’s profitable streak that the defending premiers had held a aspect goalless in 1 / 4.
However Hawthorn did properly to restrict scoreboard injury this time round, with Kim Rennie kicking the primary — and solely — aim of the opening time period after six straight ahead entries for North Melbourne.
The Kangaroos made uncharacteristic errors underneath Hawthorn’s strain, and Emma King fluffed her likelihood to increase the lead by sending her after-the-siren shot into the publish.
Aine McDonagh’s wayward shot at aim notched Hawthorn’s first rating within the second quarter, earlier than the star Irishwoman despatched a scare by way of the Hawks camp after struggling a head conflict with North defender Jasmine Ferguson.
McDonagh — who re-signed with the Hawks on a two-year deal this week — was assessed on the sidelines and was in a position to return to the fray earlier than half-time.
Whereas Hawthorn could not minimize the deficit any additional, North could not convert its possibilities.
Blaithin Bogue had her personal alternative after the half-time siren but in addition sprayed her shot, with Kangaroos ahead Alice O’Loughlin kicking the only aim to assist construct the house aspect’s result in 18 factors.
There have been loads of spot fires late within the third quarter, with the Princes Park crowd roaring to life after a tussle between Greta Bodey and Emma Kearney outdoors of the competition.
McDonagh went down clutching her proper knee in agony after colliding with fellow Irishwoman and North star Erika O’Shea earlier than the top of the third quarter, however the Hawks ahead refused to be dominated out of the sport.
Najwa Allen tried to spark the Hawks with desperation in defence, however North Melbourne lastly broke away and slammed by way of three objectives within the closing time period.
AAP
