North reclaim top spot as Dees down Pies in AFLW round eight
North Melbourne are back on top of the AFLW ladder after a 55-point win over Sydney, but the victory came with a scare for a club champion.
The Kangaroos beat the Swans 10.11 (71) to 2.4 (16) at Arden Street Oval in round eight of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season. The result returned North Melbourne to first place and dropped Sydney to seventh, according to ABC News.
North Melbourne were never headed after Sydney lost ruck Ally Morphett to an early knee injury, the club reported in its official match report, titled 'AFLW R8 match report: Roos romp but lose milestone champ' (North Melbourne). Morphett, 22, collapsed while attempting a tackle in the first quarter. She held her right knee and later emerged from the rooms wearing a brace and on crutches.
Sydney were held goalless until midway through the third term. Tahlia Randall kicked three goals for North. Jasmine Garner had 31 disposals — possessions won by kick or handball — and 10 clearances, won from stoppages. Tess Craven added 17 disposals and two goals.
Then came a second injury worry. Defender Emma Kearney hurt her hamstring in the fourth quarter. Kearney, 37, is an eight-time All Australian. She had missed the Australia-Ireland clash two months earlier with a hamstring injury.
In the day's other Victorian game, Melbourne accounted for Collingwood at Victoria Park. The Demons won 6.6 (42) to 2.9 (21). In footy scoring, the first number is goals worth six points and the second is behinds worth one point.
Melbourne led 29-10 at half-time and held on. The win moved the Demons into second position. They did it without injured captain Kate Hore.
Mia Austin kicked three first-half goals. Olivia Purcell collected 32 disposals to drive the midfield. Tyla Hanks had 24 disposals, 12 tackles and a goal.
Collingwood defender Sarah Rowe suffered a leg injury in the second half.
What makes this stand out is the ladder squeeze. North reclaim first. Melbourne sit one spot behind them. Sydney slide out of the top group after a day when the scoreboard only told half the story.
