Melbourne’s stunning 41-point loss to North Melbourne in the AFLW’s second qualifying final at Ikon Park will “sting” the Demons for a while, according to coach Mick Stinear.
The Demons headed into Sunday’s clash as premiership favourites but were held to their second-lowest score – 1.3 (9) – and copped their second-biggest loss after being spectacularly ambushed by the Kangaroos who had only beaten Melbourne once before.
Watch every match of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season LIVE & ad-break free during play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
The 7.8 (50) to 1.3 (9) stunner means Stinear’s side now face Geelong in a cutthroat semi-final next weekend and have to win three in a row if they want to become the first team to achieve back-to-back flags.
“It’s really disappointing, the scoreline today,” Stinear said post-match.
“I think there was about five-and-...
[Short citation of 8% of the original article]