The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos stood firm in a physical Grand Final rematch against Brisbane to extend their unbeaten season start to 5-0.

Red-hot Irish forward Blaithin Bogue kicked another three goals as the Roos won by 29 points, 10.5 (65) to 5.6 (36).

Taylah Gatt (ankle) and Vikki Wall (elbow) were among the Kangaroos left nursing their wounds after a bruising clash at Brighton Homes Arena in Ipswich.

LIONS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Winger Tess Craven was flattened by Lions spearhead Dakota Davidson in the first half, but bounced up and played out the contest.

Captain Jas Garner made a successful return from an ankle injury that had seemed likely to sideline her for longer than the one match she missed. She gathered 24 touches and kicked a momentum-spurring goal as the Roos opened up a decisive gap in the second quarter.

There might have been a school of thought that a hungry, motivated Lions could challenge Darren Crocker’s team, but aside from a competitive opening 15 minutes, that never eventuated.

The Kangaroos slapped on three quick goals in the second quarter to blow the game open and were never challenged.

It was their fifth straight win to start the season, 17th in succession overall, and stretched their run without a loss to 19 games.

Midfielder Mia King was outstanding in a dominant Kangaroo midfield, earning 32 disposals and laying a game-high 10 tackles, alongside the unstoppable Ash Riddell (34 disposals). 

Jenna Bruton and Tahlia Randall added two goals apiece in a rounded attack.

It was a rough afternoon for Brisbane, who not only made it three straight losses against the Kangaroos, but also dealt injuries to Nat Grider (concussion) and Ellie Hampson (shoulder).

Kicking into a strong breeze in the opening quarter, the Lions challenged the premiers, with goals to Davidson and Hampson giving them an early lead.

However, a 50m penalty against Jade Ellenger that marched Randall to the goal-line on the stroke of quarter-time gave the visitors a seven-point advantage at the first break.

What happened in the second term would send a shiver through the competition.

North set up camp in the forward half of the ground, registering the first 10 inside 50s of the term, and started capitalising on the scoreboard with Bruton, Garner and Bogue kicking truly in quick succession. 
 
The Kangaroos’ ability to transition from their defensive half and get goalside of the Lions opened up numerous scoring possibilities.

The 20-point lead at quarter-time ballooned to 36 at the final change as the premiers quietened an excellent crowd at Springfield.

Courtney Hodder (19 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances) was thrown into the midfield and was Brisbane’s best player.

Roos stand up in heavyweight contest

Tess Craven was among the Kangaroos on the receiving end at Brighton Homes Arena, laid on her back after being shirtfronted by Dakota Davidson in the first half. Craven bounced back up and was in the contest seconds later, showcasing a new level of toughness that is defining the Roos this season. Inside mid Ruby Tripodi is among the Kangaroos who are increasingly willing to invite contact, backing themselves to draw multiple opponents and offload to a teammate in space.

Jas didn’t miss a beat

Initially expected to miss somewhere from two to four weeks with her ankle injury, Jas Garner defied the odds to get back on the field after just one game on the sidelines – and she looked as good as ever. Aside from one unusually sprayed set shot that missed everything in the opening quarter, the Kangaroos superstar was again at the centre of her team’s triumph with 24 disposals that included a goal, seven clearances and nine tackles. She looked nimble, assured and was quickly back to her dominant ways.

Next up

The Roos have only a six-day break before returning to Arden St next Saturday for the 2025 AFLW SuperClash against high-flying Carlton. The Blues should present a tough challenge, while the fixture will also raise much-needed funds for the Royal Children's Hospital's Good Friday Appeal. Bouncedown at Arden St Oval is at 2.35pm AEST. 

BRISBANE LIONS              2.0    3.1   4.3       5.6 (36)
NORTH MELBOURNE        3.1    6.3   10.3    10.5 (65)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Anderson, Davidson, Dooley, Ellenger, Hampson
North Melbourne: Bogue 3, Bruton 2, Randall 2, Garner, Shierlaw, Wall

BEST 
Brisbane Lions: Hodder, O’Dwyer, R.Svarc, Anderson, Dunne
North Melbourne: Riddell, King, Garner, Bogue, Shierlaw, Tripodi 

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Grider (concussion), Hampson (shoulder)
North Melbourne: Gatt (ankle), Wall (elbow)

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: 3117 at Brighton Homes Arena