North Melbourne has held off a surging Adelaide by one point in the preliminary final to book their inaugural spot in the 2023 AFLW Grand Final.
After failed attempts every single season since the Roos joined the league in 2019 to reach the grand final, the curse was finally broken at Ikon Park on Sunday.
But it was no easy feat for the Roos, with Adelaide star forward Anne Hatchard taking a screamer and booting a much-needed Crows goal with just under three minutes to play, meaning North Melbourne held just a one-point lead.
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Despite the late Crows surge, North Melbourne maintained the lead from the first quarter, kicking three goals to the Crows’ one by half-time.
North Melbourne are now the first team besides Brisbane, Adelaide or Melbourne to reach the grand final since before the pandemic in 2019.
Danielle Ponter booted three of Adelaide’s four majors, but her dominance wasn’t enough to get her side over the line.
The Crows miss out on the grand final for the first time since 2018, with the four-time premiers unable to win their fifth in 2023.
North Melbourne will meet Brisbane in the grand final, with the Lions overcoming a young Geelong side by just four points in their preliminary final on Saturday night.
The grand final will be played on Sunday December 3, from 2.30pm (AEDT) at Ikon Park.