A CHLOE Scheer fourth-quarter masterclass has hauled Geelong to a 15-point win over Essendon, boosting the Cats' top-eight chances.
Scores were level at three-quarter time but two quick goals from powerhouse forward Scheer – following a rare period of clearance ascendency – gave the Cats the match-winning break in the 6.7 (43) to 4.4 (28) victory at Reid Oval in Warrnambool.
Essendon dominated general play, with Maddy Prespakis causing absolute chaos in the first half (18 disposals and five clearances, with a career-high 37 and 10 for the game) through creative disposal and sheer hard work in the contest.
But the Bombers just couldn't capitalise on the amount of footy they had at their disposal in the first half, finding it difficult to make headway into Geelong's stingy defence.
By contrast, Geelong looked threatening on the limited occasions it did enter attack, with the marking prowess of Scheer and Shelley Scott (along with Jackie Parry bringing the ball to deck) causing headaches.
After Essendon trailed by 12 points at the main break, the ever-lively Paige Scott slotted her second to narrow the margin and the Bombers proceeded to control play for the remainder of the term, finally drawing level in the last few seconds via a Bonnie Toogood set shot.
Nina Morrison received treatment on a damaged finger in the second term after accidentally tangling with Prespakis in a marking contest, while Amy McDonald switched jumpers from No.3 to 55 following a cut to the head.
Clearance goals
Essendon flipped the script on Geelong's strong midfield, dominating the clearance count in the first three quarters to help pile enormous pressure on the Cats defence. McDonald finished with 25 disposals and 12 tackles but was down slightly on her usual clearance output, while young Bombers ruck Steph Wales made an impact at ground level with six clearances. Unsurprisingly, Geelong began to regain control in the fourth on the back of midfield work, but the Bombers finished 31-18 to the good in the clearance count.
Scheer power
With scores level at the start of the final quarter, there was one player who was determined to drag the Cats over the line. Scheer was almost unstoppable in the fourth term, with her contested marking and ability to find space resulting in a return of 2.3 in the space of 15 minutes to help the Cats lock up their fifth win of the season.
Up next
The two sides will take part in a Saturday double-header at Ikon Park to help celebrate Pride Round; Essendon will be first up against Sydney before Geelong face West Coast.
AFLW Round 7
ESSENDON 2.1 2.2 4.3 4.4 (28)
GEELONG 2.1 4.2 4.3 6.7 (43)
GOALS
Essendon: Scott 2, Toogood 2
Geelong: Scheer 3, Morrison, Friswell, Webster
BEST
Essendon: Prespakis, Cain, Toogood, Scott, Frew
Geelong: McDonald, Scheer, Morrison, Webster, Bowen
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Geelong: Morrison (finger)
Crowd: 3808 at Reid Oval, Warrnambool
