North Melbourne's AFLW stars were on show across two states on Saturday, as the Kangaroos played a match simulation against St Kilda at Moorabbin, before eight senior players took part in Australia's win over Ireland in North Sydney. 

Here are four talking points from the day.

1. Boxing Kangaroos trade blows

North Melbourne forwards Tahlia Randall and Blaithin Bogue lined up at opposite ends in Saturday's Australia v Ireland representative clash in North Sydney Oval, which Australia won by 50 points, 13.13 (91) to 6.5 (41).

In an open and entertaining game featuring the league's best of the best, the teammates went goal for goal. Bogue was sensational playing at full-forward for Ireland, kicking three goals, including a snap that was one of the afternoon's best highlights.

Her performance was bettered only by Randall, who edged the shootout by kicking four goals for Australia, including an over-the-shoulder snap uncannily similar to Bogue's. 

2. Captain fantastic returns

Kangaroos fans have seen relatively little of Jasmine Garner in the AFLW pre-season, after she was rested for practice hitouts against Collingwood and Essendon, so the superstar skipper's return against Ireland was keenly anticipated.

Garner was straight back to her best, kicking a goal from 18 disposals while making history by becoming the first AFLW player to captain Australia.

In one of the more unique challenges of Garner's decorated career, Irish teammate Vikki Wall was dispatched at one stage to try to quell the skipper's influence. It's no knock on Wall to report she was unsuccessful -- Garner deservedly taking out the game's best on ground medal. 

AUSTRALIA   3.6   9.7  11.9  13.13 (91)
IRELAND      2.0   5.1   5.4   6.5 (41)

GOALS 
Australia: Randall 4, Molloy 2, Conti, Conway, Fish, Garner, Hodder, Hore, Morrison
Ireland: Bogue 3, McLaughlin, O'Dwyer

3. Mids on song against Saints

While Garner and her Kangaroos vice-captain Ash Riddell prepared to lead Australia's midfield against Ireland, their North Melbourne teammates took on St Kilda in a Saturday afternoon match simulation at RSEA Stadium in Moorabbin.

The Kangaroos finished 24 points ahead after the three-quarter hitout, led by their on-ballers. Eilish Sheerin picked up where she left off in last season's Grand Final, when she won the Best on Ground medal. She was superb as the Roos overcame a slow start against the Saints, backed up by the excellent Mia King, Bella Eddey and Ruby Tripodi, who added two goals for good measure.

Ruck Emma King enjoyed a 15-minute purple patch in the final quarter, kicking two goals in two minutes before setting up Sheerin for another. 

"Eilish (Sheerin) really embraced some of the messaging we had at quarter-time and drove the game forward for us," head of AFLW Rhys Harwood said after the game.

"Ruby, Mia and Bella were really important in the centre, and then Emma was a terrific target for us up forward, particularly in that last quarter."

4. Reserves at the ready

Reinforcements were required for the club's match sim against the Saints. With eight players on international duty, the Roos called on four players from their VFLW team. Molly Eastman and Mikayla Hyde were joined in the team by their VFLW captain Renee Tierney and former AFLW Kangaroo Zoe Savarirayan. 

"We asked the players to step up in the absence of a lot of players who are playing (in Sydney) and collectively we were able to do that, so it was a really good team effort," head of AFLW Rhys Harwood said after the game.

"Particularly after that first 10 minutes, the way we were able to get the game looking the way we wanted was really pleasing."

Senior AFLW stars Jenna Bruton (hamstring), Emma Kearney (hamstring) and Nicole Bresnehan (knee) remained on the sidelines as they target early-season returns from injury. 

ST KILDA                      2.1   2.1   3.1 (19)
NORTH MELBOURNE   1.3   3.7    6.7 (43)

GOALS
North Melbourne: E King 2, Tripodi 2, M King, Sheerin