The Kangaroos held the Bombers scoreless for almost a half in their first meeting in the women's competition to set up an 8.10 (58) to 1.1 (7) win at Windy Hill on Sunday.
Last year's runners-up to Brisbane, undefeated North remain atop the ladder by two points with eight wins and one draw and a massive percentage of 335.6.
Kate Shierlaw (three goals) formed a devastating attacking partnership with Tahlia Randall (two), while usual ball magnets Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell dominated with 23 disposals each.
"It's our first time playing Essendon and there's a bit of a rivalry in the men's so we wanted to make a really good first impression," Garner said.
"We wanted to come out hot from the start and I thought we did that."
Shierlaw SOARS, Randall scores �— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) @medibank | #AFLWDonsNorth pic.twitter.com/INPVA0HQuLOctober 20, 2024
Essendon, who sit in eighth by percentage, must win their final two matches if they want to hold onto a finals spot.
Alongside Maddy Prespakis (28 disposals), Maddi Gay starred in the besieged Bombers' defence and led the game with 30 touches and 10 intercept possessions.
"We knew coming in against the best team that we're going to have a lot of challenges," Essendon coach Natalie Wood said.
"We thought we'd be able to probably get a few more moments our way but to their credit, and the way they play and the pressure they bring, we weren't (able to)."
Kate Shierlaw starred for North with three goals. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Shierlaw struck first for the Kangaroos with the opening two goals before Vikki Wall fired for a 21-point lead against a scoreless Bombers at quarter-time.
Such was the visitors' dominance, the Bombers failed to achieve a single inside-50 entry in the first term.
It was Randall's turn to shine up front in the second and she kicked two goals to help build a lead of 41 points before a wayward set shot from Brooke Walker gave the Bombers their first score as half-time loomed.
Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood had the best chance at slotting a major but sent her after-the-siren shot too wide, missing the sticks completely.
The hosts were able to limit the Kangaroos to just two behinds in the third quarter but could not move the ball into their forward-50
Toogood then kicked truly in the fourth term to finally bring Essendon and their faithful some reward in front of goal before Garner and Shierlaw replied for the Kangaroos.
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