The North Melbourne Kangaroos begin their AFLW journey by welcoming the Carlton Blues to North Hobart Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:05pm (AEDT).
The AFLW season has come around quickly yet again, but the difference this season is the competition will welcome a new team into the fold – the Kangaroos.
There is real excitement around the list the Kangaroos have been able to produce.
In fact, they have been tipped by the captains of the other sides as one of the premiership favourites, alongside 2017 premiers the Adelaide Crows.
Those expectations come on the back of recruiting ex-Pie Moana Hope and ex-Lion Kaitlyn Ashmore.
You can also not forget the reigning AFLW best-and-fairest Emma Kearney, who joins the Kangaroos from the Western Bulldogs.
When you see such names as the above at Arden Street, it is not difficult to see why many are optimistic about what the Kangaroos can achieve this season.
Despite all the external noise, coach Scott Gowans still has to get his side performing.
As for Carlton, they will be hoping for a better season than the previous. The Blues finished last, only winning two of the seven games they played.
The off-season has seen the Blues make wholesale changes in the coaching department.
There is a new coach in Daniel Harford, who has brought in women’s football expert Shannon McFerran, former Carlton forward Brad Fisher and former Port Adelaide defender Steven Salopek to assist him.
From a player’s perspective, captain Brianna Davey will need to be at her best to inspire this side to climb up the ladder, but the improvement the Blues are looking for may come from the new recruits.
Madison Prespakis, Carlton’s first draft pick, will no doubt be looking to make an immediate impact.
Chloe Dalton, who comes across from a rugby sevens background, will also be looking to perform at a level to improve the side.
Prediction
The Kangaroos do enter this clash as an unknown quantity simply because they are new to the AFLW competition, but on paper they have assembled a really good side.
They will fancy themselves to have an impact on the competition, and they will begin the season with a 17-point victory over the Blues.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:05pm (AEDT).
When: 1:05pm (AEDT)
Where: North Hobart Oval, Hobart
TV: Fox Footy
Betting: North Melbourne Kangaroos $1.58, Carlton Blues $2.40
North Melbourne Kangaroos
B: T.Randall 16, B.Gibson 18, J.Bruton 35
HB: J.Trend 21, D.Hardiman 31, J.Duffin 27
C: E.Kearney (c) 9
HF: K.Gillespie-Jones 5, J.Garner 25, S.Abbatangelo 1
F: K.Ashmore 10, M.Hope 23, G.Nanscawen 22
Foll: E.King 60, J.Stanton 17, A.Riddell 7
I/C: A.Drennan 8, J.Grierson 19, D.Bateman 11, N.Bresnehan 12, E.Humphries 6
Carlton Blues
B: K.Harrington 9, N.Stevens 21, L.Brazzale 12
HB: J.Hosking 11, K.Bentley 13, J.Van Dyk 36
C: K.Loynes 2
HF: M.Prespakis 4, T.Harris 7, D.Vescio 3
F: T.Lucas-Rodd 18, B.Davey (c) 1, S.Hosking 10
Foll: B.Moody 16, S.Audley 26, A.Barden 8
I/C: G.Pound 6, J.Edwards 25, A.Downie 30, C.Dalton 15, N.Plane 32
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I would have thought 5k in tassie is a pretty good turn out
Aligee
Roar Rookie
If its 5k it is actually a very good turnout IMO, North are not a Tassie team , everyone knows it, they are there for the $$$ and everyone is aware, they should play their AFLW games at Arden Street, they would get a better turnout at their spiritual home.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Thanks for clarifying AD. Still not the best turnout given the circumstances i.e first Tassie Roos game, free entry, perfect conditions.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
The AFL's website says a touch under 5,000 attended today. Glad you enjoyed, though!
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Went along today. Terrific weather which should have meant a bigger crowd but I'm guessing only around 2.5k turned out. Roos way too classy by hand and foot. Really liked no.7 for North - diminutive but looked a really natural footballer.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Great win by North. Thanks for the call Lachlan.
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Cheers for joining me today everyone. I hope you enjoyed the call!
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
What were your thoughts on the game, Roarers?
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
North Melbourne have started the AFLW season beautifully defeating Carlton by 36 points. The Kangaroos dominated from the start until the end at North Hobart Oval. The biggest talking point going into the game was if North would gel, but they certainly put any doubts to bed very early. Emma King was impressive for North with two goals. Mo Hope and Jasmine Garner also looked the goods. As for the Blues, this is not the start they would have wanted, mainly because they had such a poor season last year. Maddy Prespakis showed glimpses on debut what she possesses in terms of quality, and the Blues will need her to continue to improve if they wish to progress forward as a team. North Melbourne: 7.10 = 52 Carlton: 2.4 = 16
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN! Harris marks on the siren for the Blues, but does not make the distance on the set shot. North Melbourne: 7.10 = 52 Carlton: 2.4 = 16
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
BEHIND! 14' - A minor for the Blues. North Melbourne: 52 Carlton: 16
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
13' - The speed at which North have played at compared to Carlton has been noticeable. Also, North have been very even across the board. North Melbourne: 52 Carlton: 15
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
10' - The Blues need to finish off well here. They cannot afford to have a season like the last. North Melbourne: 52 Carlton: 15
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
GOAL! 6' - A little bit of luck as Gibson rolls one home. North Melbourne: 52 Carlton: 14
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
BEHIND! 5' - Ashmore used her speed, but the tight angle was against her. Only a minor. North Melbourne: 46 Carlton: 14
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
2' - North looking to play smart and composed footy early on here. They've done the hard work, but they just need to finish the game off. North Melbourne: 45 Carlton: 14
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Final quarter underway!
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
THREE-QUARTER TIME! Another dominant quarter from the Kangaroos. North Melbourne: 45 Carlton: 14
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
13' - North's defence has been impressive today. North Melbourne: 45 Carlton: 14
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
GOAL! 11' - Garner with the intercept mark, and that allows her to go back and take the set shot. She goes back and converts. North Melbourne: 45 Carlton: 14