points to move closer to winning record, Dockers down Giants, Demons dominate Swans

A seemingly untouchable North Melbourne outfit are set to claim a piece of Australian rules football history after monstering Adelaide by 40 points.

The Kangaroos' 10.11 (71) to 5.1 (31) win at Arden Street Oval means they are one game from equalling the most consecutive wins in VFL/AFL or AFLW history.

Their victory in Saturday's Pride Round fixture is North's 22nd in a row, shy of Geelong's record of 23 wins across the 1952 and 1953 VFL seasons.

So dominant were the reigning premiers that they held competition heavyweights Adelaide goalless until Teah Charlton's major early in the third quarter.

Darren Crocker's Kangaroos remain at the top of the ladder, eight points ahead of second-placed Melbourne (8-2).

Meanwhile, the three-time premiership Crows are sixth (6-4) after nearly suffering their biggest loss.

Their largest margin of defeat was 42 points to North in round 5, 2020.

Adelaide also avoided further unwanted history on the scoreboard, surpassing their lowest-ever score of 1.7 (13), set against Fremantle in round 3, 2021.

North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner had her usual influence and fell short of breaking teammate Ash Riddell's disposal record of 45 touches.

Garner had 41 disposals and seven clearances, and kicked one goal to equal Melbourne captain Kate Hore on 97 career majors.

The pair are in pole position to become the first AFLW players to reach 100 goals.

Riddell and defender Emma Kearney were just as busy against the Crows, while Tahlia Randall marked her 100th game with one major as one of 10 multiple goal kickers.

The Crows took 12 inside-50s during the first half but could only find one point for reward — when Stevie-Lee Thompson's goal attempt was smothered — as the hosts surged to a 37-point lead.

Charlton kicked the first major after half-time to end Adelaide's scoreboard drought, before Eloise Jones kicked back-to-back goals to start the fourth term.

Jones finished with three goals as Ebony Marinoff led the Crows with 27 touches and five clearances.

Demons dominate Swans

Eden Zanker has kicked four goals to help Melbourne comfortably defeat Sydney by 44 points and edge closer to a top-two finish.

All eyes were on Kate Hore at Casey Fields to see whether the Demons captain would become the first AFLW player to kick 100 career goals.

But it was Zanker who led the way, as the Demons held the Swans goalless across three quarters to set up a 9.11 (65) to 3.3 (21) win in Saturday's Pride Round fixture.

Hore is on 97 goals after kicking one major to go with her haul of 25 disposals and six clearances against the Swans.

Eliza McNamara was also busy for the Demons, while ruck Lauren Pearce dominated against the Swans' counterpart Ally Morphett.

Bouncing back from a loss to Fremantle last week, Melbourne moves to second on the ladder with an 8-2 win-loss record.

Hawthorn, who recorded a shock defeat to Port Adelaide on Friday night, slips back to third spot.

The loss to the Demons is a massive blow to the Swans' finals hopes, with Scott Gowans' side sitting ninth (5-5) with two rounds remaining.

Sydney was sorely missing captain and star forward Chloe Molloy (back injury).

Laura Gardiner (31 disposals) saw plenty of the ball, but her efforts were not enough for the Swans.

Dockers surge home against Giants

Fremantle has kept their finals hopes alive with a come-from-behind seven-point victory over GWS at Henson Park.

The Giants held a five-point lead at the last break, but the Dockers went on to kick three of the last four goals to finish on the right side of a 6.11 (47) to 6.4 (40) scoreline.

The win moves Fremantle just four competition points from the top eight with two games left to play.

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