North Melbourne held on to win the AFLW SuperClash by 10 points at Arden St Oval on Sunday, inflicting Carlton's first defeat of 2026.

The Kangaroos were made to toil for their 4.9 (33) to 3.5 (23) win against a rapidly improving Blues side who took the game up to the reigning premiers.

Carlton led in the second quarter and never trailed by more than two goals in a game played at high intensity from start to finish.

KANGAROOS v BLUES Full match coverage and stats

The Roos were roared on by a new record AFLW crowd of 4048 at their historic home, as the North faithful turned out in support of their team and the Royal Children's Hospital's Good Friday Appeal.

Speaking post-game, former skipper Emma Kearney described her feeling as "relief", and it was an emotion many fans will have shared after a victory that was among the hardest-earned in North Melbourne's now 32-game AFLW winning streak. 

Champions Ash Riddell (39 disposals) and Jas Garner (30 disposals, five clearances, one goal) stood up under pressure for the Kangas.

They were supported by running machine Erika O'Shea, who racked up 394 metres gained and was at the heart of countless key plays.

Irish forward Blaithin Bogue kicked an important goal for the Kangaroos, but was perhaps edged on the day by her housemate Dayna Finn, who was superb for the Blues, winning 29 touches and six tackles. 

Ahead of the opening ball-up, both sides lined up for a reverse guard of honour for Royal Children's Hospital staff, patients and their families in what are always emotional scenes.

When the game got underway, Alice O’Loughlin capitalised on a scramble to kick the opening goal, using her celebration to pay tribute to five-year-old RCH patient Andre, one of the Roos' SuperClash ambassadors.

But despite the Roos' early dominance, O'Loughlin's was the only first-quarter goal, and Carlton made them pay in the second term. 

Poppy Scholz’s second effort in a one-on-one contest with Libby Birch found Lila Keck, who snapped for a lone Nell Morris-Dalton in the goal square.

Veteran Emma Kearney was then penalised for a throw in Carlton’s forward 50, with Keck converting what looked to be an unlikely shot on goal to put the Blues ahead by three points.

It woke the Kangaroos up, with Tahlia Randall’s pinpoint set shot putting them back in front before Bogue extended their lead. 

Carlton had repeat entries in the third term, keeping North Melbourne defenders busy and cutting the deficit to three points.

Lily Goss broke a tackle and got a kick away bouncing towards goal. It put Kangaroo Amy Gavin Mangan under pressure, and the Irishwoman overrran the ball, allowing Fitzpatrick to pounce and convert.

But the Kangaroos held onto their lead, scoring the only two points of the fourth quarter to clinch the win.

Andre's moment

Alice O'Loughlin lit up the opening quarter with a brilliant goal from the boundary, and her snap came with a special message. The Roo forward dedicated her goal to five-year-old Andre, a Royal Children's Hospital patient and one of the club's 2026 SuperClash ambassadors. It was a fitting reminder of the broader meaning of the annual fixture, which supports the hospital's Good Friday Appeal. 

Club debut for ‘Westo’

Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner made her long-awaited debut for the Kangaroos on Sunday afternoon, after a tumultuous off-season. The former No.1 draft pick for the Western Bulldogs requested a move to North Melbourne during the trade period in 2025 after only playing one game at senior level in her second season. With a deal unable to be done between the two clubs, Weston-Turner self-delisted and was drafted by the Kangaroos at pick 37. After a pre-season training in the backline, Weston-Turner played more of a forward role on Sunday afternoon. She finished with 10 disposals and a couple of scoring opportunities off 58 per cent game time.

Next Up

A five-day break and a road trip present a combined challenge for the Roos. They return to Queensland for the second time this season, this time for a Friday night appointment with finals contender Hawthorn. The match is at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns at 5.45pm AEST. 

NORTH MELBOURNE  1.4   3.5   4.7   4.9 (33)
CARLTON                   0.1   2.2   3.5   3.5 (23)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Bogue, Garner, O'Loughlin, Randall
Carlton: Fitzpatrick, Keck, Morris-Dalton

BEST 
North Melbourne: Riddell, Garner, Sheerin, O’Shea, Wall
Carlton: Finn, Cordner, Fitzpatrick, Good, McKay

Crowd: 4048 at Arden St Oval