Goalkickers: T. Bohanna 2.1, P. Scholz 1.0. S. McKay 1.0, E. Fitzpatrick 0.1.

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: Lachlan Coyne, Gen Devenish, Tristan Burgess.

Injuries: Nl.

Ladder: 6th.

Game Review

AFLW Blues go down to Roos

Carlton AFLW fell to North Melbourne by 53 points on Saturday at Arden Street. - By Sarah Black, AFL Media

Carlton AFLW's three-game winning streak has come to an end at the hands of North Melbourne, the Blues going down by 53 points on Saturday at Arden Street. The Kangaroos were commanding in the 12.7 (79) to 4.2 (26) victory. Carlton's pressure was excellent in the first half and it took some very neat skills by hand and foot for North Melbourne to work its way out of contests. Once on the outside, the Roos glided across the field, Amy Smith and Tess Craven waxing lyrical on the wings and comfortably covering the absence of Taylah Gatt, out for an extended period with a syndesmosis injury suffered last week. Rising first-year Poppy Scholz was swung from defence to attack in the second term, and had an instant impact, kicking the Blues' first goal for the game. But Carlton continually coughed up the footy in its defensive zone, with 31 of North Melbourne's first 34 points coming directly from turnover. Roo Ash Riddell continued to accumulate the ball at will, tying the disposal record with 43 (held by herself and Ally Anderson), while Jas Garner put in a well-rounded performance, tackling hard and being a presence all over the field. Stand-in captain Mimi Hill (seven tackles) and Dayna Finn (six tackles) led the way for the Blues with 24 disposals each.

There's another Scholz in town
She's flown under the radar a bit, both within her draft class and in the shadow of older sister Matilda, but Poppy Scholz is building a fine debut AFLW season. Drafted as a tall utility who can play on all three lines, Scholz the younger has spent most of her year in defence, but was switched early to provide a target in attack. She has excellent hands overhead, a sense of timing beyond her years, and sharp skills to round out the package.

Best: M. Hill, D. Finn, H. Cordner, D. Fitzgerald.

Unstoppable Roos cruise past Blues to make it 18 straight.

North Melbourne's unbeaten run continued without any threat from Carlton on Saturday. - By Sarah Black.

The imperious North Melbourne has seen off yet another challenger to its throne, demolishing Carlton to the tune of 53 points at Arden Street. The Blues had been coming off three straight wins – one of which was against last year's Grand Finalist Brisbane – and Saturday's game loomed as the toughest test of all and a good litmus test as to just how much they had improved. The answer? A far better team than last year, but still a long way off seriously challenging the commanding Kangaroos, who were a clear class above in the 12.7 (79) to 4.2 (26) victory. Carlton's pressure was excellent in the first half and it took some very neat skills by hand and foot for North Melbourne to work its way out of contests. Once on the outside, the Roos glided across the field, Amy Smith and Tess Craven waxing lyrical on the wings and comfortably covering the absence of Taylah Gatt, out for an extended period with a syndesmosis injury suffered last week. Rising first-year Poppy Scholz was swung from defence to attack in the second term, and had an instant impact, kicking the Blues' first goal for the game. But Carlton continually coughed up the footy in its defensive zone, with 31 of North Melbourne's first 34 points coming directly from turnover. Ash Riddell continued to accumulate the ball at will, tying the disposal record with 43 (held by herself and Ally Anderson), while Jas Garner put in a well-rounded performance, tackling hard and being a presence all over the field. By contrast, Erone Fitzpatrick and Dayna Finn – who have been such a source of run and excitement in the past month – were well and truly muted, with the former matched up against fellow Irishwoman Erika O'Shea for portions of the game. Despite kicking 12 majors, the Roos didn't have a multiple goal-kicker till their eighth goal when Alice O'Loughlin secured her second, such was their spread of scoring power across the ground. North Melbourne suffered a late blow before the opening siren, losing tough forward Vikki Wall to the elbow injury she picked up last week, but it had no bearing on the final result.

There's another Scholz in town
She's flown under the radar a bit, both within her draft class and in the shadow of older sister Matilda, but Poppy Scholz is building a fine debut AFLW season. Drafted as a tall utility who can play on all three lines, Scholz the younger has spent most of her year in defence, but was switched early to provide a target in attack. She has excellent hands overhead, a sense of timing beyond her years, and sharp skills to round out the package.

Up next
North Melbourne takes on Essendon at Windy Hill on Friday afternoon – a public holiday in Melbourne – while Carlton hosts Fremantle at Ikon Park in the twilight slot on the same day.

Best: M. Hill, D. Finn, H. Cordner, C. Fitzgerald.

Team

In: Jessica Good, Lou-Lou Field
Out: Keeley Skepper (managed), Maddison Torpey (omitted).

Milestones

Debut: Lou-Lou Field
First Goal: Poppy Scholz
Rising Star Nomination: Poppy Scholz

AFLW Coaches Votes

9 - Jasmine Garner NMFC
9 - Ash Riddell NMFC
5 - Amy Smith NMFC
3 - Libby Birch NMFC
2 - Erika O'Shea NMFC
2 - Tess Craven NMFC

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

3 - Ruby Tripodi (NTH)
2 - Tess Craven (NTH)
1 - Emma Kearney (NTH)

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights