The record-breaking Kangaroos have continued where they left off, beginning their AFLW premiership defence with a 73-point win over Geelong at Marvel Stadium.
Forwards Blaithin Bogue and Tahlia Randall kicked three goals each as North Melbourne extended its historic winning streak to 30 games, winning 15.10 (100) to 3.9 (27).
KANGAROOS v CATS Full match coverage and stats
Watched on by the club's AFL team ahead of an historic double-header, the Kangas rolled through the gears in front of a Marvel Stadium crowd which grew as the game went on.
Captain Jasmine Garner underlined her superstar status with 34 disposals, six tackles and a goal. She was ably supported by her vice-captain Ash Riddell, who won 35 touches and five clearances.
Winger Tess Craven was excellent, pushing forward to kick two goals including the game's opener, while forward Alice O'Loughlin (two goals) and running machine Erika O'Shea (19 touches and five tackles) were dangerous all afternoon.
The Cats started full of fight and led by two points eight minutes into the second quarter, but from then on the traffic was all one-way.
Geelong's much-vaunted midfield kept up with North Melbourne's for the most part, but the Cats badly lacked the class heading inside 50.
Hard-running Nina Morrison is perhaps one of only a handful who can match Riddell's running power, but even she had to tag-team with Mikayla Bowen, and the Roo got off the chain in the second half while the Cats' co-captain faded.
North Melbourne's sterling defence – with the surprise addition of Kate Shierlaw, who trialled the backline role in this month's match sim against St Kilda – held firm and intercepted at will.
The Roos led by 22 points at half-time and extended that to 52 points at the last change before closing out the final term with three goals to nil.Â
It was the Roos' second-largest win and Geelong's heaviest AFLW defeat. Â
Debutant shines
Just in case there was any doubt about North Melbourne's next generation, key back Claire Mahony made an assured debut behind the footy, her first game coming at the start of her second season on the list.
Up next
It's the Grand Final rematch for North Melbourne, travelling up to Brisbane on Saturday night to face the Lions at Brighton Homes Arena. The game is at 7.15pm AEST and is live on Channel 7, Fox Sports and Kayo.Â
NORTH MELBOURNE Â 2.1 Â 6.2 Â 12.5 Â 15.10 (100)
GEELONG Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.2 Â 2.4 Â 3.7 Â Â 3.9 (27)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Bogue 3, Randall 3, Craven 2, O'Loughlin 2, Eddey, Garner, Shierlaw, Tripodi, Wall
Geelong: McDonald, O'Rourke, Parry
BEST
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Craven, O'Shea, Randall, Mahony
Geelong: Prespakis, McDonald, Webster, Bowen, O'Rourke
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Geelong: Nil
LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Nil
Geelong: Nicola Stevens (knee soreness), replaced in selected side by Lexi Gregor
Crowd: 14,573 at Marvel Stadium
