MATCH two of week one of the 2024 VFLW finals is just as life or death as yesterday’s first match.

It is all on the line today for North Melbourne and Essendon – win, and their season lives at least one more week. Lose, and it is all over for 2024.

ELIMINATION FINAL TWO

North Melbourne vs Essendon
1pm
Arden St Oval

RECENT FORM

Both of these sides have had their up and down moments this season, but they have both also shown why they belong in the finals.

North Melbourne was on a five-match winning run up until last week, while the Bombers snapped a two-match losing streak last week with a timely and confidence boosting win.

HEAD TO HEAD

Today’s match is the fifth time these two sides have met each other in their history.

Crucially for North Melbourne, despite their newness to the pressure of finals (which does work in Essendon’s favour), the head to head ledger is very much in their favour, with the blue and white stripes having won three of the previous four matches between the sides, including the last two.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Last time these two sides met was back in Round 9, which saw a comfortable 63-point win to North Melbourne that particular day.

North Melbourne kept the Bombers scoreless for three quarters, and by the time they did manage to get even a behind on the board the Roos were more than 50 points ahead.

CHANGES FROM ROUND 14 SIDES

North Melbourne:

In: Kate Reynolds, Paige Ryan and Elisha King

Out: Annabel Scott, Sarah King and Mackie Sutcliffe (all omitted)

Essendon:

In: Emily Tassiopoulos and Marnie Robinson  

Out: Olivia Manfre and Karly McNiece

KEY PLAYERS

North Melbourne’s forwardline is prolific, and if the last clash between the sides taught the Bombers anything, it is how important stopping these targets must be in order to win.

Zara Flanigan, Nyakoat Dojiok and Alana Barba all kicked multiple majors back in Round 9, and they are not the only potential targets for the Bombers to worry about, so it is going to be a big day for the likes of El Chaston and Marnie Robinson in defence to try and stop these threats, and for the likes of Jayda Richardson to really step up and provide some scoreboard pressure up the other end.