North Melbourne Women Extend Record Win Streak to 32 Games

The North Melbourne Kangaroos just made AFLW history feel even more impossible to catch.

With more than 3,500 fans packed into Arden Street on Sunday, the Kangaroos survived their toughest test of the season to defeat Carlton 33-23, extending their record winning streak to 32 consecutive matches. Star midfielder Ash Riddell collected 39 possessions in a performance that showcased why North Melbourne remains unbeaten this season.

Carlton made the reigning champions work for every point. The Blues kicked back-to-back goals against the wind in the second quarter to snatch a three-point lead, sending shockwaves through the home crowd.

The drama reached its peak in the dying minutes when Carlton's Lily Goss had a chance to close the gap to just four points with a mark 35 meters out. But in a moment that will haunt the Blues, Goss played on without realizing a defender was behind her and was immediately tackled, ending Carlton's last hope of an upset.

Jasmine Garner added 30 possessions, five clearances, and a crucial late goal for North Melbourne. The team hasn't lost since drawing with Geelong in round two of 2024, a stretch that now spans more than a year.

Riddell said her teammates thrive under pressure. "We love it, and we had that against Brisbane a couple of weeks ago," she told reporters after the match. "You could see the girls smiling as they came in at three-quarter time."

Why This Inspires

What makes this streak remarkable isn't just the winning, it's how North Melbourne keeps finding ways to win when challenged. Against Carlton, they didn't dominate or cruise to victory. They were tested, pushed to the edge, and still found the composure to hold on.

Carlton captain Abbie McKay collected 27 possessions in the loss but left Arden Street with her head held high. "We lost by 53 points last year, so it shows we're really growing as a team," McKay said. "We're here to win a grand final."

That growth mindset from Carlton, combined with North Melbourne's relentless pursuit of excellence, represents everything great about women's sports right now. Both teams showed up believing they could win, and both left the field having proven something important about themselves.

The 32-game streak now stands alone in AFLW history, but the real story is watching a team create a culture where pressure becomes fuel and close games become opportunities to shine.