After securing back-to-back premiership wins by topping Brisbane in November's AFLW Grand Final, the Kangaroos know they will face fiercer competition than ever before in 2026.
As Saturday's season opener approaches, here are five games set to shape North Melbourne's premiership defence.
DON'T MISS OUT
Be there at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, August 15 for our AFL and AFLW games against the Cats, both for the price of a standard ticket!
BUY TICKETSRound 1 v Geelong
Saturday, August 15, 1pm AEST, Marvel Stadium
Stages don't come much bigger than this home double-header ahead of the AFL team's Round 23 match against the Cats. The Kangaroos will unfurl their premiership flag before an intriguing match against an opponent that has threatened in each of the clubs' past two meetings.
Led by star midfielder Georgie Prespakis, the Cats were the most recent team to deny North Melbourne premiership points, earning a draw in Round 2, 2024 at Arden St Oval. In last year's season opener, Geelong had the best of the opening exchanges and trailed by only six points at three-quarter time before Ash Riddell helped power the Kangaroos to a 30-point win.
Round 2 v Brisbane
Saturday, August 22, 7.15pm AEST, Brighton Homes Arena
Perhaps the toughest test in AFLW awaits the Kangaroos in Round 2. The trip to face the Lions in their Brisbane den is a rematch of the past three AFLW Grand Finals, and presents contrasting opportunities for the two teams.
The Lions will be out to avenge November's 40-point defeat in the decider at Ikon Park. For the Kangaroos it will be an early litmus test as they set out to continue the form that carried them to back-to-back premierships.
Round 5 v Carlton
Sunday, September 3, 3.05pm AEST, Arden St Oval
Footy is not the only focus for this annual SuperClash, which raises much-needed funds for the Royal Children's Hospital's Good Friday Appeal. However, the Roos could face one of their most challenging assignments in what will be their first match for the season at their Arden St Oval home.
The Blues were one of last year's big improvers, winning eight games to finish fifth before reaching a preliminary final. Irish midfielder Dayna Finn and defender Harriet Cordner both earned All Australian honours last season and will be among the Carlton stars keen to take it up to the reigning premiers.
Round 7 v Melbourne
Friday, September 25, 7.15pm AEST, Ikon Park
Never write off the Demons.
No side pushed the Kangaroos closer to the brink in their premiership tilt last year than Melbourne in the preliminary final, when the Dees came within a heartbeat of an epic upset. Melbourne led for most of the contest, until Blaithin Bogue and Jasmine Garner produced the fourth-quarter goals that sent the Roos through to another decider.
The two sides will meet again in Round 7, in the perfect Friday night fixture on the eve of the AFL Grand Final.
Round 11 v Adelaide
Sunday, October 25, 1.05pm AEST, North Hobart Oval
These clubs have played out absolute classics in the past, but since Adelaide's early dominance in this fixture, it’s been all North Melbourne.
After finally breaking through by a solitary point against the Crows in a 2023 semi-final, the Roos have gone on to win the next three bouts, including a 40-point victory in their most recent meeting in Round 10, 2025.
With both teams expected to again be in the finals picture, this late-season contest could have major implications on how the premiership race unfolds.
