Match Preview Round 6
Geelong v North Melbourne
Friday March 13
7.10pm
GMHBA Stadium

Last time we met:

This will be the first time these two teams have met in the AFLW competition.

The lowdown:

Both teams enter Friday night’s game on the back of consecutive victories.

Geelong have won two in a row, winning games away from home against expansion clubs Richmond and the Gold Coast.

North Melbourne have won four in a row. 

Following a loss in Round 1 to Melbourne by two points, the Kangaroos have won every game since and as a result sit alone on the top of the Conference A ladder on 16 points.

Last week they thrashed reigning premiers Adelaide by 42 points at North Hobart Oval.

Kangaroos coach Scott Gowans said at the start of the year that his team was “in it to win it” and so far things have gone according to plan.

Opposition focus

North Melbourne have arguably the strongest list in the competition in terms of skills and talent.

Their midfield is jam-packed full of stars including former AFLW Best and Fairest Emma Kearney, small skilful midfielders Jenna Bruton and Ash Riddell and their most consistent performer Jasmine Garner.

In defence they have the adventurous Tahlia Randall, and stay-at-home defenders Danielle Hardiman and Sarah Wright.

Finally, their talented forward line has been causing their opposition plenty of headaches with small forwards Kaitlyn Ashmore and Daisy Bateman combining for 13 goals this season, whilst talls Emma King and Kate Gillespie-Jones create plenty of contests.

Their most talked about player at the moment is Jasmine Garner.

This season Garner has spent the majority of her time in North’s midfield, where she now averages 22 disposals a game (up from 13 in 2019).

The 25-year-old leads her team in disposals, metres gained, contested possessions and marks.

Garner can also spend time down forward, where she creates opportunities for herself and her teammates averaging a goal and 4.8 score involvements a game.

At 175cm, the strong bodied Garner can be hard to match up on.

Player to watch:

Nina Morrison has had a steady build this season since returning from her ACL injury. 

Slowly her output continues to climb, from Round 1 where she had nine disposals to Round 5 where she had 22 disposals in the Cats’ midfield against the Gold Coast.

Last weekend’s game against the Suns was arguably her best.

Her clean skills in the humid conditions made her a standout performer in her side’s 20 point win.

Morrison will be full of confidence coming into Friday night’s match.

Playing in front of a home crowd, you get the feeling Morrison is in line for a huge game.

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