The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos' new-look forward line is looking ominous after impressing again in a dominant 63-point practice match win over the Western Bulldogs.
The Kangaroos picked up where they left off in last week's 32-point match simulation victory over Essendon, leading from the first minute and never looking back in the 11.11 (77) to 2.2 (14) result at Arden Street Oval.
Saturday afternoon's match was the Roos' final hitout against AFLW opposition before they host St Kilda in Round 1 at Blundstone Arena.
Eye-catchers
Former Saint Kate Shierlaw finished with three goals but could have had a huge haul if not for unselfish play and a couple of blemishes, while fellow talls Emma King and Tahlia Randall were also lively and kicked a goal apiece.
Superstar Jasmine Garner was at her supreme best again, dominating through the midfield and a first-minute goal set the scene for the day.
Garner and skipper Emma Kearney were on managed minutes, being put on ice midway through the third quarter, while Shierlaw was rested in the fourth term.
Another pre-season has done Irish import Erika O'Shea a world of good as she looked very strong on the half-back flank, while fellow young gun Taylah Gatt has gone to another level on the wing.
Jenna Bruton and Mia King impressed in the engine room, while Ellie Gavalas was another standout up the ground after missing most of last season through injury.
New faces
Shierlaw was the pick of the new recruits, while draftee Ruby Tripodi kicked two, playing more of a forward role.
Former Lion Lulu Pullar was trialled on the wing and did her chances of a club debut in the season-opener no harm, while former Hawk Eliza Shannon looked at home in defence.
Ailish Considine and Lucy Burke came on late as substitutes but clocked up the kilometres after the game in running drills, as did Liz McGrath.
Tess Craven missed due to entering the concussion protocols last week and Hannah Bowey was busy pre-match continuing to build her loads.
Sophia McCarthy, Charli Granville, Niamh Martin and Cassidy Mailer weren't selected.
What the coach said
"It was really pleasing, I think especially early in the first half," AFLW senior coach Darren Crocker said.
"There were parts of the first half that I felt we really dominated, but in the second half it turned into a bit of a scrap.
"The Bulldogs came out and their pressure was really high in the third quarter and in the last.
"We needed to work our way through that, but we've got an intraclub practice game next week which will be the final box we need to tick in our preparation for Round 1.
"It was nice to get through ... a strong performance, come through with no injuries in our last hitout against genuine opposition."
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.1 9.5 11.7 11.11 (77)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 2.0 2.1 2.2 (14)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Shierlaw 3, Tripodi 2, Garner, E.King, Gatt, Eddey, Randall, Riddell
Western Bulldogs: Fitzgerald, Coyne
