Geelong head West for a clash with Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) on Saturday afternoon, looking to make it back to back wins while keeping their Finals aspirations alive.

The Cats put together a terrific performance last week to take down Brisbane, defeating the reigning premiers by 10 points at GMHBA Stadium.

In an added boost Geelong will also regain two important players this week, with Amy McDonald and Rachel Kearns both returning to the starting line-up.

The Eagles had an impressive start to the season but have hit a form slump, losing their past three consecutive games which sets up an enticing clash this weekend.

Match Details 

Waalitj Marawar v Geelong Cats
6.05pm AEDT, Saturday October 26
Mineral Resources Park, Perth

Last Time We Met

Geelong have not faced the Eagles since round eight of the AFLW’s seventh season (2022), with the Cats prevailing by nine points in a tight contest at IKON Park.

The game went back and forth on the scoreboard but Geelong dominated most statistics, doubling the Eagles inside 50 entries and leading in clearances.

It was the usual suspects who led the way for the Cats, Georgie Prespakis (21 disposals, eight clearances, 12 tackles) and Amy McDonald (20 disposals, eight tackles, six clearaces) were both phenomenal through the middle.

Player to Watch

In a huge boost for the Cats, Amy McDonald is set to make her return after missing the past four matches with a hamstring injury.

McDonald was among Geelong’s best players across the opening month of the season averaging 22 disposals, nine clearances and seven tackles across her first four games.

Facing a strong Waalitj Marawar midfield unit this week, McDonald’s return will strengthen Geelong’s on-ball division and set up an intriguing clash to keep an eye on.

Team Selection

Health Update

Click here to see the full Week 9 Deakin AFLW Health Update. 

Live Blog

Geelong will be providing fans a brand new way to follow Saturday’s game, with a live blog available on the Cats official website.

Follow the link here on Saturday from 4.30pm AEDT to follow all the pre game action, before live coverage starts at 6.05pm AEDT as Geelong do battle with the Eagles.

Broadcast  

The match will be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 6.00pm AEDT, before the opening bounce at 6.05pm AEDT.

Broadcast Guide 

GEELONG star Aisling Moloney has spearheaded Geelong to a 33-point win over Waalitj Marawar with a career-best bag of six goals at Mineral Resources Park, keeping the Cats' finals hopes alive with a brilliant individual performance.

Moloney extended her lead at the top of the goalkicking leaderboard to five and set a new club record for goals in a game, becoming just the fourth player in AFLW history to kick six or more goals as the Cats ran away to win 9.2 (56) 3.5 (23).

EAGLES v CATS - Full match coverage and stats

She was the standout player in an entertaining clash as the Eagles' season also went on the line, producing an outstanding display of accurate set shot goalkicking while also getting free to kick two in general play.

A big win over Brisbane and this victory over the Eagles has moved Geelong to within two points of eighth-placed Essendon, who play Richmond later tonight.

Moloney's back-to-back goals to start the fourth quarter from marks inside 50 iced the game for the Cats, who backed up their impressive win against Brisbane last week with another organised performance.

Georgie Prespakis (27 disposals and nine clearances) and Nina Morrison (19 and eight tackles) were terrific through the midfield in an entertaining battle with Eagles star Ella Roberts (33 and a goal).

The Cats defensive efforts were immense particularly after the main break, holding the Eagles goalless in the second half on Saturday.

Geelong's ability to transition quickly and get behind the Eagles' defence shaped as a threat on Saturday, and so it proved early when Rachel Kearns and Jacqueline Parry combined with two rapid kicks through the corridor to set up Moloney for the opener.

Moloney elevated in the second term and got free for back-to-back goals to give Geelong the first meaningful break in the game, with Prespakis also lifting to drive the Cats' charge from the midfield..

The Cats went on to dominate the second half through Moloney and their midfield stars.

Zali Friswell suffered a nasty looking ankle injury that will need to be assessed, while Julia Crockett-Grills was also ruled out early with an ankle complaint.

Most goals in an AFLW Game

Week 9 | Waalitj Marawar v Geelong Cats

WAALITJ MARAWAR    1.3   3.4   3.5   3.5   (23)
GEELONG CATS             2.0   4.0   6.1   9.2   (56)

GOALS
Waalitj Marawar: Gibson, Roberts, Simmons
Geelong: Moloney 6, Bowen, Parry, Surman

BEST
Waalitj Marawar: Roberts, Lakay, Schilling, Lewis, Thomas, Drennan
Geelong: Moloney, Prespakis, Morrison, Bowen, Kearns, Parry

INJURIES
Waalitj Marawar: Roux (back)
Geelong: Crockett-Grills (ankle), Friswell (ankle)

LATE CHANGES
Waalitj Marawar: Nil
Geelong: Caitlin Thorne replaced in the selected side by Abbey McDonald