Geelong has produced one of its strongest performances of the year to defeat Richmond by 23 points at the Swinburne Centre on Saturday afternoon.

A brilliant four-goal burst in the second quarter was the Cats' strongest period of play for the year, with goals in quick succession to Kate Darby, Becky Webster, Phoebe McWilliams and Madisen Maguire giving the Cats a 28-point lead, before a late goal to Katie Brennan brought it back to 22 points at the main break.

The Tigers upped the pressure in the second half to keep the Cats goalless, but the Cats' defence stepped up to the challenge to protect their lead.

McWilliams (two goals) had started proceedings for the Cats with the opening goal of the game in the first quarter, taking a strong overhead grab and kicking beautifully to get the ball rolling.

Amy McDonald (26 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles) and Becky Webster (20 disposals, six tackles, one goal) again led the way for the Cats with their hard attack on the ball.

Liv Barber, playing just her second AFLW game for 2022 after coming back from a knee injury, was in the thick of the action, with 14 disposals, eight hitouts and five clearances, as well as 209 metres gained. Barber's strong marking skills were on display, but a great grab in the fourth term ended her afternoon early after she hit her head on the turf as she landed.

Maddy McMahon's brilliant form in defence continued, while the whole defence group worked hard to deny Richmond opportunities.

More to come

RICHMOND        0.2     1.2     1.3     1.4 (10)
GEELONG           1.0      5.0     5.2     5.3 (33) 

GOALS
Richmond: Brennan
Geelong: McWilliams 2, Darby, Webster, Maguire

BEST
Richmond: Conti, S.Hosking, J.Hosking, Miller, Brennan
Geelong: A. McDonald, Webster, McMahon, McWilliams, Barber

INJURIES
Richmond: Jacques (lower leg), Stahl (right knee)
Geelong: Barber (head knock)