Channel Seven AFLW expert Kate McCarthy has no doubt unbeaten North Melbourne will defend premiership
“Anything is possible, except for probably North Melbourne being beaten.”
That’s the verdict from Channel Seven AFLW expert Kate McCarthy, who is backing the undefeated reigning premiers to claim their second successive flag.
The Kangaroos will enter the finals riding a 24-game winning streak which now stands as the longest in the history of both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Fresh off a 49-point thumping of fourth-placed Hawthorn in the final round of the home and away season, they will again come up against the Hawks in a qualifying final on Friday night.
McCarthy said she fully expected the Kangaroos to comfortably account for the Hawks again and go on to defend their premiership.
“I think the Roos will get the job done,” McCarthy told The West Sport Show.
“Hawthorn played three good quarters last week but they’re just such a hard team to go with for four quarters and they make you pay if you make a mistake, which we saw last Friday night.
“Tahlia Randall looked formidable, she was clunking everything and then kicking set shots from 35, 40 (metres) out, so you feel like if she can get ahold them again, it’s going to be really tough for them (Hawthorn) to stop the Kangaroos.”
Last week’s game between the pair ended in controversy after the Hawks opted to leave the ground rather than staying to form a guard of honour for superstar Jasmine Garner, who was being chaired from the field after completing her 100th game.
McCarthy — who said on Sunday the Hawks not staying on the ground was a “really poor look” — said the milestone held far greater significance in the women’s competition than it did in the men’s.
“We’ve had eight 100-gamers in AFLW and the seven others have all had a dual guard of honour because it is a huge achievement in the AFLW,” McCarthy explained.
“It’s ten seasons in and in the first couple of seasons, there was a maximum of seven games you could play, if you played in the grand final. That is a long way to 100 games..
“There was a few players at North Melbourne who weren’t super happy with it and I think there will be a bit of spice on Friday night with regard to that. Jas Garner, she’d be embarrassed with what’s been said about it, but I think a few of her teammates would be advocating for her and be a little bit dirty on the fact that did happen and it did play out that way.”
