Kangaroos survive Blues scare to keep AFLW record alive

Ash Riddell racked up 39 disposals as North Melbourne survived a scare to keep its record AFLW winning run rolling with a 10-point victory over Carlton.

In other results on Sunday, Melbourne defeated Port Adelaide 11.8 (74) to 2.11 (23) at Casey Fields, Richmond beat St Kilda 9.4 (58) to 6.7 (43) at Windy Hill, and Sydney got past cross-town rivals GWS 13.9 (87) to 8.8 (56) at Henson Park.

In front of more than 3,500 supporters at Arden Street, a boilover was on the cards after the Blues kicked back-to-back goals against the breeze in the second quarter to take a three-point lead.

The match was still in the balance in the dying minutes, with Carlton's Lily Goss having the chance to close a 10-point deficit to four after taking a mark 35 metres out.

But not realising there was a player behind her, Goss played on and was immediately tackled, with the moment proving Carlton's last chance to fire a shot as the Kangaroos held on to win, 4.9 (33) to 3.5 (23).

Riddell was unstoppable throughout, while Jasmine Garner (30 disposals, five clearances, one goal) was also a significant contributor for the victors.

The Kangaroos have a 5-0 win-loss return this season.

They have won a record 32 straight matches since drawing with Geelong in round two of 2024.

Riddell said her team embraced the challenge thrown down by the Blues.

"We love it, and we had that against Brisbane a couple of weeks ago," Riddell told the Seven Network.

"We get excited by that. You could see the girls smiling as they came in at three-quarter time. We want that challenge, so it's great."

Although Carlton dropped to a 4-1 win-loss record, the strong display against the Kangaroos has fuelled their belief.

"We would have loved to have won, so we're a little bit disappointed, but also super proud," said Blues captain Abbie McKay following her 27-disposal, five-clearance effort.

"We lost by [53 points] last year, so it shows we're really growing as a team.

"We're here to win, and we're here to win a grand final. Although we lost, it shows we're improving."

Riddell was everywhere in the first term on the way to 15 disposals and four inside 50s.

Goals against the breeze to Nell Morris-Dalton and Lila Keck thrust Carlton into a shock lead early in the second term, but a 40-metre set-shot from Tahlia Randall followed by Blaithin Bogue's goal on the run ensured the Kangaroos entered the long break with a nine-point advantage.

Randall suffered a scary moment in the third quarter when she hyperextended her left elbow, but she was able to return after receiving treatment.

The stand-out moment of the third quarter was a two-bounce, tackle-busting effort from Carlton speedster Goss that helped set up a goal to Erone Fitzpatrick.

Garner's late major ensured the Kangaroos headed into three-quarter time with an eight-point lead, and there were no goals scored in a frantic final term.