AFLW ladder leaders North Melbourne’s premiership hopes have taken a hit, with captain Emma Kearney expected to miss six weeks with a high-grade hamstring strain. 

Kearney injured her right hamstring in the first few minutes of the opening quarter of Sunday’s win over Richmond, with scans on Monday confirming the extent of the injury.

The injury happened in a contest in the driving rain in Launceston, with Kearney challenging for the ball in the Kangaroos’ defensive 50, colliding with a Richmond forward before coming to a stop soon afterwards.

She was unable to continue and was helped off the ground and ruled out of the game, before the bad news was confirmed.

“This is obviously disappointing news for Emma and our program,” North Melbourne general manager of women’s football Erin Lorenzini said in a statement.

“Emma is an incredibly reliable player and leader for us and was putting together another stellar campaign this season.

“For this type of injury, it’s usually a six-week rehab, and we know she will do everything in her power to return within that timeframe and continue to support the team as much as she can from the sidelines.”

Kearney is one of the AFLW’s most experienced and decorated players, having being named All-Australian eight times, a premiership winner and AFLW best and fairest winner with the Western Bulldogs in 2018, and the Kangaroos’ inaugural skipper.

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North Melbourne has had a strong start to the season as the only remaining unbeaten team after six games.

The Kangaroos have five wins plus a draw against Geelong in round two.

They lead the table by half a game from Brisbane, and have the league’s best scoring attack and stingiest defence.

Given the AFLW home-and-away season is 10 games long, Kearney would not be scheduled to return to action until the semifinal or prelim final stage in mid to late November.