Geelong struggled to capitalise on its opportunities as it lost to St Kilda by nine points at RSEA Park.
The Cats kept the Saints to just one point in the second half, but couldn't find accuracy in front of goal as they kicked six behinds after the main break, losing 0.9 (9) to 2.6 (18).
The scoreboard pressure built on the Cats, who kicked just three behinds in the opening half, and chances went begging from gettable positions in the second half.
Nina Morrison tried hard all day, with the 21-year-old collecting 18 disposals for 464 metres gained - by far the most by anyone on the ground - while Sophie Van De Heuvel had moments of dashing determination.
Laura Gardiner (18 disposals, 4 tackles) and Amy McDonald (18 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances) were among the Cats' top performers, while Maddy McMahon was strong in defence, with 16 disposals, 5 marks and 10 intercepts, bettered only by skipper Meghan McDonald (11 intercepts).
In a dour opening quarter, the Cats led three points to two until late in the low-scoring term, but a goal in the final seconds to Kate Shierlaw gave the home team the lead going into the break.
The Cats had few answers as the Saints upped the ante in the second quarter. The Cats defenders put up a good fight and restricted the Saints to just one goal for the term, but the visitors struggled to generate the same scoring opportunities they'd created a week earlier against Richmond.
Morrison was popping up everywhere, rebounding out of defensive 50, driving through the midfield and into the forward line, and had 11 first-half disposals for 241 metres gained.
The Cats started to get some forward momentum in the third term, but opportunities went begging as they only added three behinds to their tally.
In her 25-game milestone match, Chloe Scheer took a brilliant juggling mark, but her kick was drifted to the left at a windy RSEA Park and hit the post.
Before the game, St Kilda had their flags at half-mast and both teams, umpires and the crowd joined together for a minute's silence in memory of cricket legend and St Kilda supporter Shane Warne, who passed away overnight.
The Cats will be striving to recapture the clean skills, pressure and forward drive that secured their win over the Tigers a week ago as they head into their final game of 2022 against GWS Giants on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium.
AFLW Round 9
ST KILDA 1.2 2.5 2.6 2.6 (18)
GEELONG 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.9 (9)
BEST
St Kilda: Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Catherine Phillips, Leah Cutting, Bianca Jakobsson
Geelong: Nina Morrison, Laura Gardiner, Maddy McMahon, Julia Crockett-Grills
Crowd: TBC
Saturday, 5 March 2022 at RSEA Park
