AFLW Round 5 Preview | Carlton V North Melbourne
Written by Nathan Sepe
Following a second consecutive win against the Tigers, the Baggers are looking to make it three in a row against North Melbourne in Tasmania, who have lost their last two games. The Baggers just got over the line against the Tigers last week, with small uncoordinated periods keeping the Tigers in the game throughout the match. The loser of this game will most likely to fall a game or two behind the top 6 and make the rest of the season must win games.
It was a much closer game than the Blues anticipated last week, with the Tigers exposing the Baggers poor starts to the first quarter scoring the opening three, adding one early in the second to put the Baggers down by 22. It was a great effort from stand up players such as Prespakis, O’Dea and Vescio to kick the Baggers back into the game, putting the Blues up by one into half time. Another solid third quarter saw a more contested game but the impressiveness of ball movement and switching of play from the girls that proved a problem for a young Tigers outfit to come back from.
Opposition Analysis
North have had trouble lately, losing a hard fought game against the Demons two weeks ago and only last week going down to the Pies by 20 points, failing to score a goal with 8 behinds scored. The Baggers were meant to face North in a preliminary final last season, however this was cancelled due to COVID. The last time the two sides met was Round 1, 2019 down in Tassie, the only meeting between the teams so far, with the Kangaroos coming out 36-point winners.
The Kangaroos won the game through dominance in the forward line with efficient and effective ball movement to their key forwards in Emma Kearney and Emma King. North’s game plan is similarl to the Baggers, who look to play out wide and fast in order to catch out opposition’s defensive transition, in hope of finding a leading forward.
Key players for North include Emma Kearney who has averaged 18.7 disposals a game as well as 11 kicks and 6 tackles per game. She is a great ball user and is able to transition to ball forward without a problem. Another key player for North is Jasmine Garner, who has averaged 1 goal per game this season, as well as 17.5 disposals and 3.5 marks per game. She is a great hit up target leading into the forward line and will pose as a threat for the Baggers backline.
Who is it a big game for?
Charlotte Wilson – It will be a big task this week for Wilson, who will need to be efficient rebounding the ball out of the defensive 50 in order to stop the North forwards from tracking back easily. It will be important for Wilson to get some intercept marks and put defensive pressure on North’s forward line.
Georgia Gee – With the unfortunate denial of Prespakis’ tribunal appeal, it will be important for Gee to push back into the midfield and be a prominent influence to help out for the loss of Prespakis in the middle. It will also be a big task for her to help tag key North midfielders such as Emma Kearney.
It is a massive game for the Baggers this Saturday night, with a win helping to solidify a finals appearance pushing over the half way mark of the season.
