NARRM has used a second-quarter demolition to continue its undefeated start to the season, kicking seven unanswered goals through the middle stages to beat a desperate Waalitj Marawar team by 37 points at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

Trailing by 11 points late in the first quarter, the Demons kicked 10 of the next 13 goals to make another powerful statement as they stake their claims in 2026, winning 12.9 (81) to 6.8 (44).  

Cleaner with the ball and more organised across the ground, Narrm further cemented its status as the main challenger to North Melbourne this season, staying clear in second after a super impressive 4-0 start to the season.   

For the winless Eagles, Sunday's loss matches the club's worst ever start to a season after also going 0-4 in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before registering their first win, with the team hosting Grand Finalist Brisbane at Mineral Resources Park in round five. 

Demons midfielder Eliza McNamara was the star on Sunday, dominating through the crucial second quarter and finishing with a game-high 32 disposals and two goals in a classy performance, while Tyla Hanks worked hard both ways to finish with 29 and 13 tackles.

Tayla Harris, Maggie Mahony and Alyssia Pisano all booted two goals in an incredibly even performance, while star midfielder Kate Hore (22 and six clearances) put the finishing touches on by dancing through traffic in the final minute to boot the goal of the day.

Waalitj Marawar star Ella Roberts (26 and nine clearances) worked tirelessly for her team, while Charlotte Riggs competed hard when in the ruck. Lucia Painter was at her most dangerous when inside 50, with Abbygail Bushby providing a highlight with her early running goal.

The Eagles played the best quarter of their season to start Sunday's clash, using their pressure as the foundation and then dominating field position with 12 inside 50s to three.

While Riggs battled away in the ruck and Lauren Wakfer pushed forward for a goal, Waalitj Marawar had a different look and used long kicking to put Narrm’s backline under pressure, with Bushby slotting a brilliant running goal on the run from 40m to put the home team 11 points up.

There were missed opportunities for the Eagles to go further in front, and Georgia Gall cut the margin to six points at the first break when she was paid a free kick inside 50.

The game completely flipped in the second term as the Demons got on top in the contest, worked the ball quickly to the outside, and dominated inside 50s (14-4) to kick five unanswered goals.

McNamara was superb with 11 disposals and a goal for the quarter, setting up several others as Harris, Hanks, Megan Fitzsimon and Pisano all hit the scoreboard in a dominant term that opened a 26-point lead at the main break.

Waalitj Marawar needed to respond and at least broke even through the third term, with former Carlton forward Keeley Skeeper snapping a nice goal and young star Painter converting from a tight angle.

Mahoney made sure Narrm maintained its edge, however, booting a pair of crafty goals to ensure the Demons kept their four-goal edge at the final break, and powering away from there to register a convincing win with three final-quarter goals to one.

Next up
Waalitj Marawar remains at home and takes on Grand Finalist Brisbane on Saturday in a must-win clash. The Eagles last met the Lions in 2024 in a match they lost at Mineral Resources Park by 45 points. Narrm returns to Melbourne and will host Yartapuulti at Casey Fields having lost to the Power by two points last season at Alberton.

WAALITJ MARAWAR     3.1   3.1   5.5   6.8 (44)
NARRM                         2.1   7.3   9.5   12.8 (81)

GOALS
Waalitj Marawar: L.Wakfer 2, Thomas, Skepper, Painter, Bushby    
Narrm: Pisano 2, McNamara 2, Mahony 2, Harris 2, Hanks, Hore, Gail, Fitzsimon

BEST
Waalitj Marawar: Roberts, Riggs, Painter, Bushby
Narrm: McNamara, Hanks, Purcell, Hore, Harris, Mahoney  

INJURIES
Waalitj Marawar: Nil
Narrm: Goldrick (knee)  

Crowd: 1,497 at Mineral Resources Park