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North Melbourne have weathered Hawthorn’s post-game snub of Jasmine Garner’s 100th cap as the bedraggled Kangaroos prepare to face the Hawks for the second time in seven days.
North’s rematch with the Hawks is even more exciting as they enter Friday night’s play-in final with a record 24-game winning streak.
The Kangaroos’ Jasmine Garner is led onto the field by teammates Kim Rennie (left) and Emma King (right) after her 100th match.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Hawthorn coach Daniel Webster described the club’s decision not to remain on the pitch for Garner’s landmark guard of honor after the Kangaroos’ big win last week as a “mistake”.
North forward Alice O’Loughlin responded to the Hawks players’ absence by asking “where are you?” on social media. he made a reference by saying.
Former Hawthorn player Kate McCarthy described it as a “really bad look”.
North coach Darren Crocker and veteran star Emma Kearney insisted they had moved on.
“It was probably a mistake on their part,” Crocker said.
“I’m sure this wasn’t meant disrespectfully.
“Of course, someone probably should have gotten this under control.
“But it is what it is. It is, and we are moving on.”
Jasmine Garner (left) and Kangaroos Senior Coach Darren Crocker celebrate after their last round win over Hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Some Hawthorn players even reached out to Garner after the game.
“The Hawks locker rooms are on the other side of the oval (in Frankston),” Kearney said.
“This wasn’t something they did on purpose.
“They were probably just coming off another loss and were probably just focused on next week.
“Someone like Jas really loved him.
“It was just North Melbourne.
“All our fans were there, all our staff and players were seeing him off.
“He’s a star of the game, but it doesn’t surprise him at all.”
After claiming their first AFLW title last year, North have become an unstoppable juggernaut this season.
But Crocker knows his opponents will be desperate to end the Kangaroos’ dominance and prevent them from becoming the first AFLW team to win back-to-back flags.
“We had the bullseye on our back ever since we started winning games last year,” Crocker said.
“I hunted almost every week for two seasons.
“But we say it’s just a matter of mentality.
“We’re just trying to assert our identity, play our way every week, and teams can attack us as hard as they want, but we know our best football can stand up to that.”
Premier players Vikki Wall and Kate Shierlaw will return to the Kangaroos after being rested last week.
In support of Hawthorn, Irish starlet Áine McDonagh has signed a further two-year contract until the end of 2027.
AAP
