The Southern Saints are through to their second VFLW finals series after accounting for North Melbourne at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Just one point separated the two sides at the main break before a commanding second half from the home side – complete with five unanswered goals – made their finals ambitions a certainty.

Tara Bohanna was a major influence in solidifying the 8.12 (60) to 3.4 (22) victory, spearheading the attack with 25 disposals, eight marks and a momentum-shifting three goals after half-time.

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The key Saint could have finished with a bigger haul in front of the big sticks with seven shots on goal, but was still among her side’s best alongside Gabriella De Angelis (24 disposals, nine marks, two goals) and Tyanna Smith (23 disposals, six marks) along the wing.

Roos duo Airlie Runnalls (33 disposals) and Meagan Kiely (36) were the biggest threat to the Southern Saints’ top-six hopes, but their combined efforts weren’t enough to stave off their opposition’s final charge.

The floodgates could have opened at multiple occasions throughout the third quarter, with the Saints’ presence around the ball making nearly every North Melbourne possession a frazzled one.

Tara Bohanna was immense on Sunday afternoon. Photo: AFL Photos.

While the scoreboard reward didn’t come in the third – the opportunities certainly did with six shots on goal – it came in waves during the fourth.

Bohanna booted two majors as De Angelis and Tayla Kearns joined the party, with the Saints refusing to put their foot off the gas even with their place in the finals guaranteed.

Dale Robinson's side finished the 2021 VFLW Season in sixth position on the ladder with a tally of 7-7 and a percentage of 115.2.

The Southern Saints will play Port Melbourne in the second elimination final, with the date, time and venue to be confirmed in the coming days.

SOUTHERN SAINTS   2.3  3.4  4.9  8.12 (60)
NORTH MELBOURNE  1.2  3.3  3.3  3.4 (22)

GOALS
Southern Saints: Bohanna 3, De Angelis 2, Kearns, Matin, Peck
North Melbourne:  Skinner 2, Runnalls

BEST
Southern Saints: Bohanna, De Angelis, Smith, Stuart, Capsalis, Hynes
North Melbourne: Kiely, Runnalls, Mourney, Skinner, Hicks, Hamilton

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