St Kilda's mission to start its 2023 AFLW campaign on a winning note fell short at Blundstone Arena, with a Jasmine Garner-inspired North Melbourne bounding away to a comfortable 40-point win.

The Kangaroos scored the first 37 points of the game and kept the Saints scoreless in the first half on their way to recording the 8.8 (56) to 2.4 (16) victory.

The Saints came out snarling after half-time, but inaccurate kicking meant they only outscored North by nine points to trail by 27 going into the final quarter.

Visit our AFLW Hub for all the latest news, videos, player bios and more!

North punished them for their profligacy with the Kangaroos kicking the first three goals of the final quarter.

Five-time All-Australian Garner won the first clearance of the game and within 20 seconds booted a fine goal on the run from 45m.

SAINTS MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from Round 1

Garner produced a complete midfielder's game notching an equal game-high 29 possessions as well as game-highs in clearances (11) and metres gained (473m).

Ash Riddell also chalked up 29 touches while Emma Kearney (20) and Mia King (21) also did plenty of good work.

Round 1 v North Melbourne

  • 05:36

    Emotional scenes as eight debutants receive guernseys

    Go behind the scenes as St Kilda's eight club debutants receive their guernseys ahead of the 2023 season opener.

    AFLW
    Video
  • 01:54

    RD1 | Priest dissects season opener, gelling of new faces

    Captain Hannah Priest runs through the Saints' season opener after going down to North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.

    AFLW
    Video
  • 10:14

    RD1 | AFLW Mini-Match: North Melbourne v St Kilda

    Extended highlights of the Kangaroos and Saints clash in round one of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season.

    AFLW
    Video
  • 03:56

    RD1 | 'We put ourselves in a difficult position': Dal Santo post-game

    Nick Dal Santo speaks at his post-game press conference after round one's match against North Melbourne.

    AFLW
    Press Conference
  • 05:21

    RD1 | Highlights v North Melbourne

    The Kangaroos and Saints clash in round one of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
    Video
  • 00:36

    RD1 | Patrikios finishes with class to Saints' delight

    Georgia Patrikios nails her first goal of the season to give St Kilda late confidence.

    AFLW
    Video
  • 01:17

    Did you bring your passport... to Tasmania?

    As the Saints wait to board their flight to Tasmania for Round 1, Hannah Priest sees how many of her teammates fall for a classic airport gag!

    AFLW
    Video
  • 01:27

    Seven club debutants in 90 seconds! Dal does the rounds

    There's a new-look Saints outfit who will take to the park in Round 1! Senior coach Nick Dal Santo gets around each one to tell them the good news.

    AFLW
    Video
  • 01:00

    'I'm proud of you': Dal Santo delivers AFLW debut news to Pinchin

    See the moment new Saint Beth Pinchin found out she'd be making her AFLW debut against North Melbourne in Round 1.

    AFLW
    Video
  • 11:20

    Talking finals and AFLW: Saints skippers front the media

    Jack Steele and Hannah Priest preview a big September for the Saints.

    AFL
    Press Conference

North's Emma King and Tahlia Randell both kicked two goals, though the latter managed just two points from her first three shots.

The amount of defensive work Saints did was highlighted by the fact they had the game's top two tacklers in Nicola Xenos with 11 and Hannah Priest, 10.

North was ahead 21-0 at quarter-time and 36-0 at halftime, as the Saints struggled to fashion scoring opportunities.

The Saints finally got on the board six minutes into the third quarter, when Hannah Stuart converted a set shot after being awarded a free kick.

They had the next four shots as well, but missed the opportunity to put more scoreboard pressure on as all of them produced a behind and North regained the ascendancy in the fourth quarter.

NORTH MELBOURNE  3.3  5.6  5.7  8.8 (56)
ST KILDA  0.0  0.0  1.4  2.4 (16)

GOALS
North Melbourne: King 2, Randall 2, Garner, O'Loughlin, Shierlaw, Tripodi
St Kilda: Patrikios, Stuart

BEST
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Shierlaw, King, Kearney, Smith
St Kilda: Xenos, Priest, Patrikios, Stuart, Vesely

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
St Kilda: Nil

Crowd: 2,454 at Blundstone Arena

EXPLORE