North Melbourne are celebrating the greatest win in their AFLW history after they scored a stunning 41-point qualifying final upset over reigning premiers Melbourne.
The Kangaroos were outstanding from the outset on Sunday at Ikon Park, keeping the free-scoring Demons goalless for three quarters and winning to 7.8 (50) to 1.3 (9).
Most significantly, this was North's first win against another top-four side this season and it upends the narrative around the finals series.
It was only their win from 19 games against Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, who between them have won five of the six AFLW premierships.
This is also North's first win over Melbourne since the Kangaroos' inaugural 2019 season and coach Darren Crocker said its extent surprised him.
"I must admit, driving here today, I wouldn't have thought we would have won as comprehensively as that, given Melbourne are a really great outfit," he said.
"The way our players applied themselves was super. Today gave the players some great evidence that (our game style) can hold up under finals pressure."
As North enjoy the week off ahead of a home preliminary final, Melbourne will host Geelong next Sunday afternoon in a semi-final, again at Ikon Park.
Adelaide will host Sydney on Saturday night in the other semi at Norwood Oval.
The Demons are suddenly in trouble, having also lost last week to Brisbane and now posting their second-lowest score AFLW score.
It will be the Kangaroos' second straight preliminary final after losing to the Demons last season.
Key forward Tahlia Randall kicked three goals for North, who racked up 100 tackles to 79, as Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner again starred in the midfield.
"We knew we could hold it against the best ... we backed our system, backed our structure and results like today, we can actually do it," Randall told the Seven Network, adding her side had set a goal of reaching 100 tackles.
"We know Melbourne are a great side (but) like most sides, they're going to crumble under pressure."
North forward Kate Shierlaw had a badly cut lip after a final-term collision and Crocker said she might need stitches.
The first quarter was a belter, played at grand final intensity, as North made an immediate statement with relentless pressure.
Randall kicked the only two goals of the first half, with North taking a 15-point lead into the main break.
The Demons were well in the contest, given the low scoring, but the league's highest-scoring team this season had only managed one behind for the half.
Great work from Shierlaw set up two running goals to Bella Eddey in the third term as Randall again outworked her opponent in a ruck contest to snap her third.
Melbourne did not kick their goal until 10 minutes into the last quarter, through Alyssa Bannan, and that meant they passed their lowest score of 1.2.
They only managed one goal despite winning the inside-50 count, 35-33.
"We never got to a stage where we could connect forward of centre. Their defence was very strong and they opened us up going the other way a number of times," said Melbourne coach Mick Stinear.
"We didn't deliver our end of the bargain."
Olivia Purcell and Tyla Hanks had 23 disposals apiece for Melbourne.
