NORTH Melbourne sent a message to the rest of the AFL Women’s competition as it played a fierce game of keepings off to run out 45-point winners over Fremantle on the road. Travelling west revealed no fears for the blue and white stripes as the Kangaroos took control after half-time to storm to a 10.6 (66) to 3.3 (21) victory.

Fremantle kicked the opening goal of the game, but trailed shortly after, a fact that remained the same for the majority of the game. Once North Melbourne found its kicking boots – slotting 9.1 after quarter time following a 1.5 start – there was no stopping the Roos in a dominant performance with seven consecutive goals to finish off the game.

Riddell me this

While teammate Jasmine Garner has deservedly received plenty of plaudits this season for her performances, North Melbourne midfielder Ash Riddell continues to chug along as one of the top midfielders despite flying under the radar. Riddell racked up 37 disposals, six clearances, five tackles, eight score involvements, seven intercept possessions and three inside 50s in a standout performance.

Garner goes bang

At one stage, Garner was so influential in getting the ball forward, she had nine inside 50s to the Dockers’ 11 for the match. That was at the six-minute mark of the third term. While Fremantle restricted her to just three more, as well as eight additional disposals to make it 30 for the match, there was little doubt the star midfielder was a key architect in getting the Roos’ going.

Randall racks up record

Getting on the end of Riddell and Garner’s midfield influence was tall Tahlia Randall, who booted a career-high five goals in the win. Since moving forward last season, Randall had a couple of hauls of three, and then clocked up a previous record of four against Carlton in Round 2. Her five majors broke a dry spell over the last three weeks after six in the first fortnight, to take her season tally to 12.

O-o-o O’Driscoll

It was not a game to remember for the Dockers after half-time, but easily the biggest shining light was that of defender Emma O’Driscoll who had a day out trying to defend the North Melbourne forward thrusts. She finished with a whopping 28 disposals, nine marks and 467 metres gained in the loss. It was an eye-catching performance and one that showed her ability to stand up under pressure with 15 intercept possessions.

What’s next?

North Melbourne go in as red-hot favourites against Port Adelaide at Arden Street next week having moved up to second spot on the ladder following Melbourne’s defeat to Adelaide. Then, Round 8 sees essentially a couple of preliminary final worthy matches with the Roos facing the Demons and the Lions hosting the Crows.

Fremantle tackles Geelong at GMHBA Stadium with both sides down on form the past fortnight, before returning home to host St Kilda in a must-win contest for the 13th placed side languishing percentage outside the eight.