Arabic version: ملبورن ونورث ملبورن إلى نهائيي AFLW التمهيديين

According to ABC News, Melbourne and North Melbourne secured AFLW preliminary-final berths on Saturday, with the Demons overcoming Geelong by four points and the Kangaroos defeating Carlton by 36 points.

Melbourne won 8.8 (56) to 8.4 (52) at Princes Park after kicking the final five goals of the qualifying final. The Cats led by 22 points at half-time and twice held a 28-point advantage in the third quarter, but the Demons cut the margin to 12 points by the final change.

Alyssa Bannan kicked two final-quarter goals, while Paxy Paxman put Melbourne ahead with a snapped goal at the 17-minute mark. Geelong’s Chloe Scheer had a shot with 20 seconds remaining but missed. Liv Purcell and Georgia Prespakis each had 34 possessions.

Melbourne has a week off, while Geelong will face the winner of Sunday’s Sydney-Western Bulldogs elimination final. The match began 10 minutes late because of a lightning threat.

In the later game at Ikon Park, North Melbourne beat Carlton 7.7 (49) to 1.7 (13). Jasmine Garner collected 31 possessions and Ash Riddell had a game-high 33, while Carlton defender Harriet Cordner impressed early. North Melbourne forward Alice O’Loughlin hurt her knee in the final quarter and left the field with assistance. Carlton will host the winner of Sunday’s Gold Coast-Hawthorn elimination final.