No worries for Emma Kearney’s start North Melbourne and Port Adelaide admit ‘lag’ behind top

NORTH Melbourne coach Darren Crocker said his side are in a better position than last year to pull out a maiden AFLW flag after the Roos stormed into another decider with a 57-point demolition of Port Adelaide.

The Kangaroos led from siren to siren and at one point had a 52-0 lead in a stunning start to the game. But this advantage was achieved thanks to measured and thoughtful play, and not sudden jumps.

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They scored 78 points per game, the third-highest total in AFLW finals history, and also recorded the fourth-largest margin in a finals.

“I think there’s been real growth in our group and I think that’s why we’ve been in a better position this year, reaching the Grand Final. imagine how possible it is,” Crocker said.

“Today it became obvious again. Even at half-time we had a pretty comfortable half-time lead and it can give you a headache next week.”

“Even though we were a little sloppy in the last quarter, the way the girls kept the scoreboard running and made it difficult for Porto to score was testament to how much we have grown this year.”

North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney returned from seven weeks out with a serious hamstring injury and recorded just five disposals from 38 per cent of her playing time, spending virtually the entire final quarter on the bench.

“She’s fine. It all had to depend on how the game was going to look and we felt we had it under control enough for three quarters that we didn’t have to put her on the field and put her under even more duress. than we need,” Crocker said.

“She got 50 percent of the playing time in the first three quarters and it was great to have her back. With another week under your belt, there will be no restrictions. We will rotate defenders as usual and she will be part of those rotations.”

Crocker also said he believed Tess Craven would be ready for the Grand Final, despite the hard-hitting winger spending time on the sidelines with a back obstruction following a collision under a high ball. She returned in the second half.

Port Adelaide coach Lauren Arnell was composed and realistic after the heavy defeat as the Power’s eight-game winning streak came to a screeching halt.

Despite this, Arnell took her young team from 15th place to the top four within the season.

“Full credit to North, what a team. For us, a 57-point loss in the prelims isn’t what you want, but it tells us everything we need to know. We must be well informed as we move into the future.” and I think we’ll learn some really important lessons from today,” Arnell said.

“I don’t think anyone would argue that North Melbourne weren’t the best team in the competition at the moment, so I’m really, really proud that we created the opportunity to play them in the pre-qualifiers. We will have all the information we need about where the gap is, and at the moment the gap is quite significant.

“Even at half-time we changed a few things again and in particular our young team, when we needed some hot fights and strong bodies in possession, we saw a group of 18-21 year olds who really stepped up. up, so I’m really happy about that.”

Arnell said there is a lot of internal growth in her young side and noted that aerial competition is an area Power could strengthen during the trade and draft periods.

“To be honest with North Melbourne they look like a complete team. Even when (Jasmine) Garner is not on the field, they still dominate stoppages and their variance from contest to contest is exceptional,” Arnell said.

“I think the difference between North and most teams is North have serious strength in the air, which we lack at the moment. air that wasn’t there before.

“There is growth ahead of us. This is only our third season, we have played about 34-35 football games together. So there is continuity in the team.”

“And then there are the simple things, like North Melbourne looked so smart, a simple contested ground ball, their kicking skills are exceptional under pressure and that team cohesion takes time.”