Follow AFLW finals week 3 preliminary final scores, results, odds, squads and start time from Ikon Park in Carlton

Darren Crocker sees only two things that could stop North Melbourne becoming the first AFLW team to win back-to-back titles.

Kangaroos coach Crocker, who is on an unprecedented 25-game winning streak with one game remaining before the grand final, believes complacency and ego will spell the end of the defending premierships if they are not careful.

North Melbourne, which has a week off after crushing Hawthorn in the semi-finals, will host second-placed Melbourne in the first elimination final at Ikon Park on Saturday.

Brisbane will host Carlton at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday.

North have won every match since last year’s third round and are also unbeaten since the 2023 grand final.

The only blemish on their unbeaten record is a draw with Geelong in last year’s third round, but Crocker knows it would be easy to get caught up in his own team’s ego.

Pundits and bookmakers have also long rated North Melbourne winning back-to-back premierships as highly likely, viewing Mick Stinear’s Demons as an outside chance despite finishing second.

“A lot of people would think that when you achieve what we did last year the two threats would be complacency and maybe a little bit of ego, and we talked about that at the beginning of this year,” Crocker said Thursday. he said.

“Of course, I can tell you that’s not the case. They’re a determined bunch.

“They want to get better, they show up every day to get better and they leave their egos on the hook.

“They’re a great group to coach and coach seniors. I’m sure they’ll show up again at the weekend.”

Crocker will punt against defender Eilish Sheerin, who suffered a hamstring injury during warm-ups in the eighth round.

However, North will not try her luck against Mia King after the star ball player could not prove her fitness after the PCL injury in her knee.

Sheerin joined the Kangaroos in the off-season after playing 32 games at Richmond.

“I’m pleased to say Eilish is coming. She was really close to our first final,” Crocker said.

“To be honest, he is very excited, he is changing himself.

“He realized that the changing clubs coming to us from Richmond was probably one of the main reasons he was able to get himself onto this stage, so he’s really excited about the opportunity.

“Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for Mia. Mia has made progress, but not enough.”

Additional experience in defense would be welcome for North, who should include the fiery Kate Hore.

Demons captain Hore has played like a woman possessed in the post-season, finishing with three goals from 26 disposals in last week’s semi-final win over Adelaide.

The star forward midfielder also scored one goal in their qualifying final defeat against Brisbane, making his tally 31 goals.

North’s own star captain Jasmine Garner may be ready for a fiery encounter, but Crocker said it was a team effort to lock down Hore.

“Obviously he’s a really dangerous player… which means he has to be the team’s target as a target,” Crocker said.

“But who knows if Melbourne will send Kate to ‘Jas’, that may be a decision in Mick’s hands.”

AAP