North Melbourne has banked its 21st win in a row, defeating Richmond by 36 points at Ikon Park on Saturday night.

The Kangaroos continue to close in on the current V/AFL record of 23 consecutive wins held by Geelong’s men’s team across 1952-53, running out 7.8 (50) to 2.2 (14) winners.

TIGERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The Tigers registered their first win of the season last week with a surprise victory over Adelaide (also their first ever win against the Crows) but couldn’t do tonight what all others have failed to do this year.

Usual suspects Jasmine Garner (30 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances) and Ash Riddell (37 disposals) controlled play, with Garner also scoring two goals. 

Forward Alice O'Loughlin also made a relatively successful return from a liver injury in Round 6 against Carlton, not hitting the scoreboard but finishing with 20 disposals and five tackles.

Three-time premiership defender Libby Birch celebrated her 100th game in style, with 18 disposals and 233 metres gained as well as some fiery competition with Tiger Paige Scott.

The Roos’ main concern will be midfielder Mia King, who came off the field just before half-time and didn’t return with a knee concern.

King, who was brought to ground awkwardly in a second-quarter tackle, joined the team on the ground at three-quarter time with her left knee heavily strapped.

The Roos' depth has been tested this season, with stars Eilish Sheerin, Nicole Bresnehan and Taylah Gatt already on the injury list. 

North Melbourne’s skill execution let them down initially, with a number of fumbled marks and kicks falling short, although the Roos’ strong defence held up well. Their uncharacteristic ill-discipline, including a 50m penalty paid to Ellie McKenzie, also led to multiple scoring opportunities that Richmond couldn’t capitalise on.

In the end, it was a foot race inside 50 between Tahlia Randall and Libby Graham chasing a booming left footer from Vikki Wall that led to the first goal. A cruel bounce of the ball meant Randall fumbled, but as the pack ran past her, it created space to gather and goal.

Early in the second quarter, Randall clunked a mark just outside the goalsquare and split the middle for her, and the Kangaroos’, second goal, before a free kick to Kate Shierlaw after being caught high in a marking contest gave them their third. 

Leading inside 50s 24-16 at half-time, Richmond’s defence held up relatively well in spite of North’s continued attack and helped by their inaccuracy in front of goal.

The Tigers gave the Kangaroos a scare in the third quarter, with a patient slow build-up leading to their two goals. Caitlin Greiser won an arm wrestle in the contest with Emma Kearney early on, before a thumping kick sealed Richmond’s first. Emelia Yassir composed herself later in the quarter and went back from the top of the goalsquare to convert.

The rain began to fall during the three-quarter-time huddles, but it didn’t stop North Melbourne scoring three more goals, including a beautiful snap from Garner on the boundary.

A night celebrating longevity

All eyes were on Kangaroo Libby Birch (and her boots personalised for the occasion) as she ran out for her 100th game, becoming the fourth AFLW player to do so following Brisbane skipper Bre Koenen earlier on Saturday. But Richmond also had some honours, with Ally Dallaway celebrating her 50th while Lauren Brazzale came in for her second game as a Tiger and notched up her 75th outing overall.

And speaking of longevity…

Veteran Roo and former captain Emma Kearney wound back the clock early in the second quarter. The 36-year-old took off, selling a bit of candy not once but twice before launching the ball towards goal, setting up Randall’s second major. She kept finding a way through congestion and finished up with 19 disposals and 480m gained, despite spending only 64 per cent of time on the ground.

Up next

The AFLW Pride Round celebrations continue in Round 10, with North Melbourne hosting Adelaide at Arden St Oval on Saturday afternoon. The opening bounce will be at 3.05pm.

RICHMOND                         0.2    0.2    2.2    2.2 (14)
NORTH MELBOURNE          1.2    3.5     4.7   7.8 (50)

GOALS
Richmond: Greiser, Yassir
North Melbourne: Bogue 2, Randall 2, Garner 2, Shierlaw

BEST 
Richmond: Conti, McKenzie, Egan, Lynch
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Randall, O’Shea, Kearney

INJURIES 
Richmond: Nil 
North Melbourne: M.King (knee)  

Reports: Nil