Geelong’s VFLW side has ended a two game losing streak after a convincing 8.7 (55) to 2.5 (17) victory against the Southern Saints at Deakin University on Saturday.

It took just four minutes for Jordan Ivey to make her mark in her first match since rupturing her ACL in May last year by kicking the opening goal, much to the delight of her teammates and the crowd.

Hannah Burchell snapped a late goal to give the Cats a six point lead at the first break in perfect Geelong conditions.

The Cats did the damage on the scoreboard in the second quarter, with unanswered goals to Mia-Rae Clifford, Madeline Keryk and Kate Darby in the space of five minutes opening up a 28 point lead at half-time.

Impressive defensive pressure kept the Saints scoreless in the second and third quarters as the Cats continued to enjoy their afternoon of football, establishing a game-high 41 point margin at three-quarter time.

It was four-quarter team effort from the Cats that secured the victory after a tough couple of weeks, and Geelong VFLW coach Paul Hood was thrilled with his side’s performance.

“The girls ran really hard today. They moved the ball quickly and really took the game on, defending with great passion,” he said.

“It was a fantastic day for footy out here at Deakin. The weather was brilliant and it was just a really good day for the Cats today, great to get back on the right track.”

Hood was pleased with the way that the Cats approached the game after two consecutive losses.

“We just really wanted to concentrate for the entire game today,” he said.

“Even in those loses we’ve had parts of the game that have been pretty solid so a big focus today was just to play from the first siren to the last siren, and I thought our team did that really well.”

“We kept the Saints scoreless for two quarters of the game and that’s something we’re really proud of, and then scoring ourselves as the game broke open was really pleasing.”

It was a special day for Jordan Ivey after sitting on the sidelines for the last 14 months.

“Jordan’s come back and kicked the first goal, a banana from the boundary on the left foot if you don’t mind, which we’ve seen her do at training for months now,” Hood said.

“She’s worked so hard and been a fantastic teammate throughout all her rehab. She’s a really passionate person and footballer and it was just terrific to see her have such a successful day.”

The midfield combination of Richelle Cranston and Erin Hoare was instrumental to the Cats’ success.

“Our midfield was really strong today and the two of them worked together to start our attacks a lot so they did a great job,” Hood said.

According to Hood it was strong performances from players across the ground that inspired his team.

“Laura Taylor, Hannah Burchell and Cassie Blakeway controlled the outside of the contest very well on the wing so it was a really good balance in the midfield,” he said.

“Hayley Trevean probably had her best game for the season too with her marking, and her ability as a forward or midfielder to link us up was excellent.”

“Elise Coventry was terrific down back and Maddy McMahon in her first full game as a centre half-back got better and better as the game went on. It was a really pleasing day for the team.”

Hood was also pleased with Geelong Falcons star Tarryn Love in her debut match for the Cats, and looks to debut more young talent throughout the rest of the season.

“She looked like an experienced player out there and played her role. When it was her time to take her opportunity she did and that was really pleasing for Tarryn and a great sign for the future of footy in the town,” he said.

“There’s a few more there that we’d like to have a look at and provide opportunities for to press their selection for the draft at the end of the year, so we’re really looking forward to playing a few more Falcons girls.”

The Cats will play the Casey Demons at 1pm next Saturday at Queen's Park in their round 11 clash.

VFL Women’s Round 10
Geelong Cats 8.7 (55) defeated Southern Saints 2.5 (17)
Goals: Darby 2, Boyd, Burchell, Clifford, Ivey, Keryk, Trevean
Best: Cranston, Hoare, Blakeway, Coventry, Trevean, McMahon
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Nil
@ Deakin University