AFLW flag favourites North Melbourne thrash Western Bulldogs to extend unbeaten start

Jasmine Garner has produced another influential display to help flag favourites North Melbourne maintain their unbeaten start to the AFLW season with a 55-point thumping of the Western Bulldogs.

Garner starred with 20 disposals and broke the game wide open with two goals in the third quarter, setting the Kangaroos on course for a 8.11 (59) to 0.4 (4) victory at Arden Street on Saturday.

Ash Riddell (26 disposals, one goal) also shone for Darren Crocker’s side, with Emma King and Niamh Martin adding two goals each.

The result ensured North Melbourne will hold top spot on the ladder for another week, with six wins and a draw from their seven outings.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (2-5) are counting the cost of a heavy defeat that put a dent in their finals hopes.

The Dogs went goalless for the second time this season and posted their lowest-ever AFLW score as captain Deanna Berry (illness) and Lauren Ahrens (foot) both failed to finish the contest.

North Melbourne’s competition-best defence stood up in the absence of injured captain Emma Kearney, with experienced back Libby Birch leading superbly.

The Kangaroos held a 2.5 to 0.2 advantage at quarter-time and would have been further in front if not for a series of wasted chances deep in attack.

Tahlia Randall kicked the only goal of the second quarter and the margin grew to 20 points by halftime, despite the Bulldogs’ competitiveness around the contest to that point.

Heavy rain set in at the main break and made life difficult for both sides in the second half, but Garner snared the first two goals after the restart to put North in a commanding position.

King added her second to give the Kangaroos a 40-point lead at the final change and they coasted to a comprehensive victory.

“The rain just somehow keeps following us,” Garner told Fox Footy.

“A lot of wet-weather footy but it was enjoyable and we got the win.”

The Bulldogs will seek to bounce back when they host Essendon at Whitten Oval in round seven, while the Kangaroos take on Sydney in Hobart.