NARRM has done everything possible to make a late tilt for the finals and will now await its fate after a 47-point win against Collingwood at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.
After sitting at 1-4 halfway through the season following a 65-point loss to Essendon, finals were looking unthinkable for the injury-ravaged Demons.
And yet a steady return of top-class players from injury and a good run of form has them needing just an Essendon loss against Carlton on Saturday night to make the finals for a sixth consecutive time.
The 11.8 (74) to 4.3 (27) result confirmed that Collingwood will finish the year on the bottom of the ladder.
Narrm had control of the contest for most of the afternoon, getting out to a 31-point lead at half-time. Dees captain Kate Hore made a successful return from a low-grade quad strain after being a late out against Hawthorn last week, finishing with three goals and 17 disposals, while Liv Purcell had a game-high eight clearances.
The usual Collingwood suspects held up their end of their bargain, with Brit Bonnici having 20 disposals and two goals, while Ruby Schleicher had six clearances and milestone 50-gamer Tarni White finished with five tackles.
Narrm had the first three goals of the game, gaining the ascendancy with its tackle pressure and quick hands. The Pies defenders held on, supported by a Bonnici goal to stem the tide, but fumbles let them down.
The second quarter began with some more Bonnici magic, with a running goal from 40 metres out to cut the margin to seven points.
The Pies began the third quarter with an excellent team goal finished by a Lauren Butler sidestep and snap. However, the potential goal of the game came halfway through the quarter to open up a 39-point lead to Narrm. Alyssia Pisano kicked into space inside 50 for Eden Zanker to win a one-on-one contest with Eleri Morris and wheel around and snap.
Retiring Collingwood defender Stacey Livingstone pushed forward in her final quarter, and had a couple of 'almost' opportunities for the second goal of her AFLW career but her fairytale finish wasn't to be.
NARRM 3.3 7.3 10.6 11.8 (74)
COLLINGWOOD 1.2 2.2 3.2 4.3 (27)
GOALS
Narrm: Hore 3, Bannan 2, Zanker, Pisano, Hanks, Gall, Fitzsimon, Campbell
Collingwood: Bonnici 2, Butler, Barnett
INJURIES
Narrm: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: TBC at Ikon Park
