King, Garner lead way as Roos stamp their AFLW flag credentials
North Melbourne's credentials as this year's AFLW premiership favourites were underlined in an obliteration of Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.
Denied the chance to win the flag in 2020 due to COVID-19 following five wins from six home-and-away matches, the Roos picked off where they left off, smashing the Cats 11.5 (71) to 1.3 (9).
North Melbourne thumped Geelong in their first game of the season.Credit:Getty Images
The home side went goalless for three quarters before finding their sole major of the day through Aasta O'Connor with two minutes left on the clock, such was the one-sided nature of the round one contest.
The Cats started physically but lacked the polish of the Roos, who had three goals on the board at quarter-time, all three through ruck Emma King.
By the final change, the game was sewn up, with North Melbourne boasting a 52-point lead against a scoreless Geelong outfit.
“Glad to be back playing footy in front of a crowd. We absolutely just loved it out there today,” star Roos midfielder Jasmine Garner said post-game.
“Obviously it’s been a long time since we played footy. Our last game in round six last year was against Geelong here. They got the jump on us early in that game.
“We just knew we wanted to start well and be hard at the contest. We’re just glad to be back playing footy.”
“Just the depth in our team – our backline is so reliable, our forwards and our mids, everyone’s put in the hard yards and it’s shown today.”
King reigns supreme
The Cats had no answers for North Melbourne tall King, who was so dominant in the first term it was as if there were two of her.
She gave first use to her rovers at the stoppages, but also managed to push forward and kick three goals in the opening 15 minutes, leaving the Cats in her wake.
King finished the day with six kicks, four handballs, 30 hitouts and three majors.
The Cats managed just 16 hitouts to North Melbourne’s 38 for the day.
Cats’ scoring woes
Geelong went into the match as underdogs and were completely outplayed.
Young midfielder Olivia Purcell was the Cats’ standout in the 62-point loss, amassing 17 disposals and seven tackles in a tough day out.
Jasmine Garner (centre) kicked two goals.Credit:Getty Images
The day was further soured when full-forward Maddie Boyd left the ground after copping a knee to her elbow early in the match.
The home side simply lacked the experience and class of their opponents, who were much more efficient with the ball going forward.
The Cats had 25 inside-50s to North Melbourne’s 27, but could only take six marks inside their forward arc compared to the Roos’ 12.
Roos stars lead the way
It’s no surprise to see North Melbourne’s talented midfielders atop the disposal list.
Emma Kearney led the way with 22 touches from Ashleigh Riddell (20), while Ellie Gavalas starred with 19 disposals and three goals.
Garner was also tough to stop, finishing with two goals from 18 disposals.
Damien Ractliffe is the Chief Racing Reporter for The Age.