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Collingwood have fought back late to snatch a six-point AFLW qualifying final win over North Melbourne.

Collingwood AFLW coach Steve Symonds has praised the fighting spirit of his players after the Magpies came from behind to score a thrilling six-point qualifying final win over North Melbourne at Victoria Park.

The home side trailed by 14 points at three-quarter time but kicked the final three goals of Saturday's match to score a 7.8 (50) to 7.2 (44) win that sets up a preliminary final against the Lions in Brisbane.

"Our players really thought their way through it in the end," Symonds said.

"Their ability to adapt to a few different positions and to try to get things going in the last quarter was really good ... they adapted really well.

"They've got such fighting spirit ... I'm just so proud of the way they continue to try to make things happen."

Brianna Davey was instrumental with 31 possessions, while Sophie Alexander and Chloe Molloy booted two goals apiece.

Ashleigh Riddell and Emma Kearney were important for the Kangaroos, who fell behind early but stormed into the lead with five unanswered goals.

Jasmine Garner threaded the eye of a needle from deep in a pocket for North's first, but the opening quarter belonged to the home side.

Alexander, Molloy and Jaimee Lambert all hit the scoreboard with the rampant Pies in full flight.

But Collingwood could not capitalise on their dominance in the second quarter and the Roos hit back late.

Bethany Lynch scrambled home a goal from close range and Sophie Abbatangelo booted her first to slash the margin to three points at halftime.

Abbatangelo scored her second after the restart to put her side in front for the first time.

When Lynch and Riddell converted tough set shots from the boundary line the Kangaroos led by 13 points.

Alexander's second goal broke North's unanswered run, but Collingwood trailed by 14 points at the last break.

Kristy Stratton started the Pies' fightback, Molloy made it a one-point game and Tarni Brown kicked the sealer as the home side finished strongly.

"It was a real arm wrestle but to Collingwood's credit they really responded at three-quarter time and found a way," Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker said.

"They just gritted their teeth a little bit more than we did and found a way to win.

"We need to look at ways to get better individually, reflect on this season and grow our game."