The 2024 AFLW season has finally arrived, and Geelong is set to kick-off their campaign with a blockbuster clash against Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.  

The Cats are looking to build on their successful 2023 season, hoping to start their year on a positive note in a Semi Final rematch with the Demons.  

Geelong have retained a relatively similar list heading into 2024, with exciting Irish player Kate Kenny set to make her AFLW debut on Saturday night.   

Melbourne will be looking to avenge their 2023 season, which saw them bow out of the Finals in straight sets after finishing second on the ladder.  

Match Details  

Geelong v Melbourne 
7.15pm AEST, Saturday August 31 
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong 

Last Time We Met 

Geelong last faced Melbourne in the 2023 Semi Final, one of the most memorable games in recent history as the Cats dethroned the reigning premiers by five points in an instant classic.  

The Cats controlled proceedings up until three quarter time, taking a 30 point lead into the final quarter before the Demons stormed home with five of the last six goals to set up a nail-biting finish.  

One final snap from Melbourne’s Lauren Pearce sailed wide, with Geelong hanging on to secure a famous victory.  

Nina Morrison was prolific through the middle collecting 29 disposals and 10 clearances, while Amy McDonald dominated with 21 possessions and two goals.  

An Exciting Debut 

Cats coach Dan Lowther announced earlier in the week that Irish recruit, Kate Kenny will make her AFLW debut on Saturday night.  

Just three months ago Kenny arrived in Geelong as a highly-touted Gaelic football star, quickly making an impression and adapting to Australian Rules Football in no time.  

Kenny will join fellow Irish players Anna-Rose Kennedy, Aishling Moloney and Rachel Kearns in Geelong’s team for their Week 1 clash against Melbourne.  

Team Selection 

Health Update 

Click here to see the full Week 1 Deakin AFLW Health Update.   

Milestones

Amy McDonald – 50 AFLW Games 

Mikayla Bowen – 50 AFLW Games 

Kate Surman – 50 AFLW Games 

Tickets 

Tickets are still available for Geelong’s opening game of the 2024 AFLW season at GMHBA Stadium, follow the link here for more information.  

Broadcast   

The match will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 and streamed through Kayo from 7.00pm, ahead of the opening bounce at 7.15pm from GMHBA Stadium. Fans will be able to listen to all the pre-game build up and match coverage on krockfootball.live from 6.30pm.  

Broadcast Guide  

Geelong has been overrun by Melbourne in a wet and wild game at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cats fell to the Dees in a gritty display, falling short by two points.

With 43 seconds remaining, Jackie Parry earned a free kick when Paxy Paxman gave the ball to her teammate Lauren Pearce instead of the umpire at a stoppage, the Cats forward kicking truly to cut the margin to two points, but it wasn’t enough.

The Cats burst out of the blocks, running well on the overlap and crucially, getting the ball inside 30m to put the Melbourne defenders under pressure. 

Melbourne skipper Kate Hore showed her class with a quick pair of goals, the second of which saw her dodge round Georgie Rankin with ease, to haul the Demons back into the contest.

Hore was so dominant she led the field with 14 disposals at half-time, despite spending most of her time in attack.

The spring wind and rain hit with a vengeance in the second term, the rain somehow managing to blow towards the centre of the ground from both ends of the field while the stadium lights briefly flickered.

With Geelong constantly searching for the one handball to get them out into space, Melbourne's tackle pressure was vital, and the Dees cut the Cats off time and time again.

The Cats had more paths to goal, and were particularly deadly when the ball was on the deck inside 50, getting out to a two-goal lead as conditions settled at the start of the third.

Sinead Goldrick saluted with her first after 44 games, quickly followed by countrywoman Blaithin Mackin to give Melbourne the lead for the first time. The Cats clawed level, but it was the previously quiet Eden Zanker who slammed a goal home from point-blank range to seal the win.

GEELONG           2.2     3.2     5.2     6.4 (40)
MELBOURNE      2.0     2.2     5.4     6.6 (42)

GOALS
Geelong: Parry 2, Morrison, Bowen, Kearns, Kenny
Melbourne: Hore 3, Goldrick, B. Mackin, Zanker

BEST
Geelong: Prespakis, Am. McDonald, Morrison, Bowen, Webster, Parry
Melbourne: Hore, B. Mackin, Pearce, Mithen, McNamara, Goldrick

Crowd: 3,838 at GMHBA Stadium