NORTH Melbourne’s tall timbre did the damage in their side’s comprehensive Round 2 defeat of Carlton, booting eight of the Kangaroos’ 10 goals. Half of them came off the boot of Tahlia Randall, while new recruit Kate Shierlaw and rotating ruck Emma King managed two majors apiece.

According to Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker, Randall’s haul proved “reward for effort” after plenty of work in front of the big sticks. The 173cm forward is part of a dangerous forward setup which combined for nine marks inside 50 on Sunday.

“She’s really important to our whole forward set up ahead of the ball,” Crocker said. “We feel that having ‘Tahls’ up there, Kate, and Emma King at certain stages when she’s not in the ruck, it can be quite potent especially with players getting to their feet.

“Generally their either going to mark it or bring it to ground and it just allows us to then play the way that we want to play. It’s great to also see (Randall) kick straight today because I know how much work she’s been putting into her goalkicking, so getting a bit of reward for effort was really pleasing for her.”

North Melbourne now sits pretty atop the AFLW ladder with a percentage of 554.5, having kept its two opponents to a combined three goals in two games. Though, the true litmus test awaits in Round 3 with a trip to Geelong – off just a five-day turnaround, no less.

GMHBA Stadium was the scene of North’s dramatic week one finals win against the Cats last season, and many are expecting another classic contest given the home side also boasts a 2-0 record after wins over Western Bulldogs and Sydney.

“It’s obviously a really short turnaround for us, it’s just a five-day break. Recovery’s going to be really important,” Crocker said.

“The atmosphere’s wonderful here at the minute but we’ve got to move on pretty quickly, especially with our recovery and making sure we’re ready to go… Geelong are going really well, we know what they can bring. It was an unbelievably tight final last season so we’re going to have to be at our best next week.”

For Carlton, the result serves as somewhat of a “reality check” after edging past Gold Coast last time out. The Blues narrowly avoided becoming the first AFLW team to be held scoreless in a game, and coach Mathew Buck says the result is somewhat indicative of his side’s standing.

“We’re two games into our season and the Kangaroos are a few years into their build,” he said. “So, it’s great to come up against a really strong opposition and see where you stand. We’ve got some positives to take out of the game for sure, and then plenty to work on.”

“You get your reality check but we’re ready to come to work again next, dust ourselves off (and) learn from it. It’s a great time to get on the road together and head to West Coast and get ready to crack in against them and have a great game. We’ll take our learnings and get to work next week.

A theme of Carlton’s off-season and overhaul was to produce a high performance culture. Newly appointed vice-captain Mimi Hill is among the players driving improved standards, as proven by her “four-quarter effort” which yielded 31 disposals and six clearances.

The Blues just about broke even at stoppages through the work of Hill and Abbie McKay, though North midfielders Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell both had days out with 36 touches apiece. This week’s trip to Perth looms as a major opportunity for Carlton, with West Coast yet to register a win in 2023.