3 minute read
North Melbourne have steamrolled Port Adelaide with a six-goal-to-nil first half, before cruising to a 36-point win at Whitten Oval.
AFLW premiership favourites North Melbourne have made an emphatic statement, crushing Port Adelaide by 36 points at a wet and wild Whitten Oval.
The Kangaroos kept the Power scoreless until the 10-minute mark of the third quarter, setting up the 6.6 (42) to 1.0 (6) victory on Friday night.
With North leading by 41 points at halftime, torrential rain and strong wind impacted most of the third quarter as Port star Julia Teakle kicked the only score - a goal - of the term.
North managed just one behind in the second half but the result was never in doubt as they again made light work of Port, 12 months after they registered the highest score - 12.9 (87) - in the club's AFLW history when they hammered the Power.
The Kangaroos laid an AFLW record 122 tackles in the tricky conditions.
Midfield stars Jasmine Garner (30 possessions, nine clearances, one goal) and Ash Riddell (30 possessions) led the way in typical fashion
North's Alice O'Loughlin had an eventful first half, kicking two goals, laying a potentially dangerous tackle that could come under match review officer scrutiny, and hurting her thumb.
The result moved North to top of the ladder, but St Kilda and Adelaide could go past the Kangaroos should they win their respective round-four games.
North (3-0-1) are yet to lose this season, but they would be ruing their round-two draw against Geelong.
Port were competitive in their opening three matches, losing two and smashing the struggling Western Bulldogs.
The Power became the first team this season to go into halftime without scoring.
Port will next play on Tuesday night when they face Richmond, while North will face Carlton at Ikon Park on Wednesday.