The Roos will face one of their toughest challenges yet when they head to Ikon Park on Saturday night to challenge reigning premiers Narrm (Melbourne).

The sides will go head-to-head for the first time since last season's preliminary final, where the Demons managed to outlast North Melbourne in a competitive clash.

Both clubs will be high on confidence heading into this weekend, following commanding Round 7 victories.

Set your matchday reminders

Saturday, October 21
Narrm v North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at Ikon Park, 7.15pm AEDT

So you don't miss it, or any other games this season, make sure to sync the fixture to your calendar.

The opposition 

As has been the case over recent seasons, Narrm are one of the sides to beat in 2023.

The Demons are third on the ladder, separated from the Kangaroos in second place by percentage with three rounds remaining.

Forward Kate Hore is having an individual campaign to remember. She leads the League in score involvements (58) and has booted 16 goals, just one behind teammate Eden Zanker who has slotted 17 from seven matches.

Hore, Zanker, and co will enter Ikon Park following a dominant performance out west where they dismantled the Eagles by 70 points.

The in-form Roo

Alice O'Loughlin

The forward couldn't be stopped at Arden Street Oval last Sunday against the Power, kicking a career-high three majors.

On from the start, O'Loughlin booted North Melbourne's opening goal before going onto kick two more including a Goal of the Year contender from what quickly became a magic pocket for the home side.

The No.6's performance saw her poll five AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year Award votes - her first votes this season - and finish with a personal best for disposals (17) in addition to the game-high three-goal haul.

Last time we met

Narrm 5.3 (33) def. North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos 2.4 (16) - Preliminary Final, Season 7 (2022)

North Melbourne's Season 7 campaign came to a frustrating end when the clubs last clashed, as Narrm booked a Grand Final berth with a 17-point prelim final victory.

Despite having the lion's share of inside 50s, the Roos struggled to turn entries into scores while the Demons - who also struggled to find routes to goal - were often well-held by a stern North Melbourne defence.

However, a late fourth-quarter goal to Daisy Pearce was the nail in the coffin for the Kangas.

Jasmine Garner was one of the Roos' best with 24 disposals and 10 tackles, while Sarah Wright was immense with 13 intercept possessions.

Ticketing

Grab your tickets for Saturday's game here!

Membership

The Kangaroos' journey rolls on as Darren Crocker's group continues its path towards silverware.

If you haven't already, become a 2023 AFLW North Melbourne member.

Joining up is a great way to support not only the AFLW team, but the entire football club and AFLW competition.

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

Team selection

North Melbourne will name its 21-player side on Thursday at 6.20pm.

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.
 
Follow the @NMFCWomens accounts on Instagram, Facebook and X to stay up to date with everything happening at the match.

Bring on Narrm!

Narrm has claimed top spot on the AFLW ladder after outmuscling the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at Ikon Park on Saturday night.

The Demons underlined why they are reigning premiers, playing tough and unrelenting football to run out 23-point winners, 5.7 (37) to 2.2 (14). 

The Roos were held scoreless for 63 minutes, from the 14-minute mark of the opening quarter until Eliza Shannon's behind in the game's dying seconds.

NARRM v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The Roos' midfield was beaten by its smaller and quicker Demons counterparts, with Tyla Hanks – who often saves her very best for North Melbourne – leading the way with 26 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, well supported by Liv Purcell and Lily Mithen.

Jasmine Garner and Jenna Bruton were all well down on their usual sterling outputs; the team behind by eight in the clearances at three-quarter time (four by the end of the match) and behind in both contested and uncontested possessions, while Ash Riddell piled on 15 disposals in the fourth term to finish with 31.

Niamh Martin got the Kangaroos off to the perfect start, snapping her first AFLW goal inside the opening minute on a warm night at Ikon Park.

Despite Demon Casey Sherriff squaring the ledger, the Roos took a deserved six-point lead into the first break when Tess Craven took advantage of a favourable breeze to bang one through from near the 50m arc.

But it was all Narrm in the remaining three quarters as the miserly Demon defence ratcheted up the pressure. 

North Melbourne preferred to move the ball more deliberately with its kicking game, but Narrm's very tight one-on-one defence made that difficult, and the Roos just could not clear the Demons' wall across the centre.

By contrast, Narrm preferred to run and carry the ball at pace, with Shelley Heath used through the midfield to both keep a close eye on North’s stars and provide a serious spark of her own.

In the absence of Tayla Harris (hamstring) – yes, Narrm still has Harris to add back into this mix – Kate Hore was a strong marking target, while Eden Zanker kept the North Melbourne defenders on their toes.

Mia King was North Melbourne's best, trying hard for all four quarters with her 20 disposals and 13 tackles.

Who's No.1?

The Lions' nailbiting win over Adelaide on Saturday afternoon opened up the race for top spot, and it was Narrm who took advantage. The win takes the Demons top on percentage, with two decisive games likely to determine the all-important top two. The Kangaroos and the Crows meet next weekend, while the Lions and Demons face off in the home-and-away season's final round. 

Taming the trident attack

How to beat North Melbourne's three tall forwards, Kate Shierlaw, Emma King and Tahlia Randall? Simple. Starve them of the footy. Both sides played a spare in defence, and such was the pressure coming from further afield, the few times the Roos were able to break through after quarter-time, the Dees' loose defender ate up the stray kicks, with Tahlia Gillard particularly strong.

What's next?

There's no time for the Kangaroos to lick their wounds. Next up is the toughest away trip in the game: Adelaide in Adelaide. Norwood Oval is the venue for Sunday afternoon's clash against a Crows side which will be smarting from its first loss of the season, inflicted by Brisbane earlier on Saturday. 

Narrm                    1.1   3.4   4.5   5.7 (37)
North Melbourne  2.1   2.1   2.1   2.2 (14)

GOALS
Narrm: Campbell, Hanks, Hore, Sherriff, Zanker
North Melbourne: Craven, Martin

BEST
Narrm: Hanks, Purcell, Hore, Mithen, B.Mackin, Gillard
North Melbourne: M.King, Kearney, Riddell, Garner, O'Shea

INJURIES
Narrm: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Narrm: Aimee Mackin (ankle) and Gab Colvin (Achilles) replaced in selected side by Megan Fitzsimon and Charlotte Wilson
North Melbourne: Nil

Crowd: 2,704 at Ikon Park