Mia Skinner will make her long-awaited debut after being named among four new players set to pull on the AFLW hoops for the first time this Sunday.

Skinner, who starred up forward for the Cats’ VFLW side this year, will be named alongside recruits Mikayla Bowen, Jackie Parry and Shelley Scott in the Cats’ side to take on Richmond at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.

Mia Skinner

The hard-earned debut has been a long time coming for Skinner, whose previous stint on the Cats’ list across 2020 and 2021 was cruelled by injury, denying the promising young forward a chance to debut.

But after being delisted at the end of the 2021 season, Skinner refused to give up on her dream of playing AFLW and made sure she seized every opportunity.

The 21-year-old made it through the 2022 VFLW season unscathed, booting 21 goals across the season and stepping into a leadership role as a deputy vice-captain in the team.

Cats senior coach Dan Lowther lauded Skinner’s resilience to persist with her football and do everything to give herself another chance in the AFLW, and the work she put in with the support of the club’s VFLW coaching, medical and fitness teams earlier this year.

“Mia has shown now that she’s got a sustainable approach to how she trains and prepares, and it’s flowed into AFLW pre-season, and that’s why we drafted her,” Lowther said.

“She can score, she loves a combat of a game, she’s fast – to see her in that role in VFLW, it was a no-brainer to put her back on the list if we had the chance to.

“She’s going to be a really good asset.”

Mikayla Bowen

Exciting midfielder Mikayla Bowen, who crossed from West Coast Eagles during the Sign & Trade Period, will also make her first appearance for the Cats, complementing an advancing strong midfield.

Bowen played every possible game for the Eagles since making her debut, and has 25 games to her credit.

An energetic personality around the playing group, Bowen has brought leadership, as well as an impressive set of skills.

“The leadership is already ingrained in her personality. She’s slotted straight away into our group,” Lowther said.

“Mikayla’s made significant change in the culture within our team. Being well-capped as a junior player, and one of West Coast’s stronger players, it’s just a bonus that we get another talented footballer on our list.

“But it also gives us options with our other talented players who play in the midfield to play different roles, whether it be inside mid, outside runners. I’m sure over time we’ll keep adjusting Mikayla’s role as well, but for now, she’s going to be a really good outside runner for us.”

Shelley Scott

One of the AFLW’s most-capped players in Scott will also make her Geelong debut, in what is set to be her 50th AFLW appearance.

The former Melbourne veteran has been a valuable addition to the Cats’ playing group with her footy knowledge and finals experience, and her versatility and reliability under pressure have been on display.

“What she also brings is a steady head, and she’s a good decision-maker,” Lowther said.

“That’s one thing we noticed from the get-go during training and match sim. We need players who can get in the equation, make good decisions, and because she’s had that experience in finals, she’s been around great teams, great coaching and great individual players at Melbourne, she’s learned a lot along the way.”

Jackie Parry

Fellow former Demon Parry has been a strong addition to Geelong’s new-look attack. A quieter figure off the field, Parry’s determination and mobility on the field are shaping as key assets for the Cats.

The 26-year-old, who has played 22 games to date, has impressed over the pre-season.

“Jackie’s quite driven, loves a contest,” Lowther said.

“She’s quite mobile as well, which is what we probably thought we needed to add to our team, a more mobile front half to play a different type of style that we want to keep adding to, and she brings that component to the game.”

The Cats’ full Round 1 team will be named at 5.30pm Saturday.

Geelong launches its Season 7 campaign against Richmond this Sunday at GMHBA Stadium. The Cats’ Footy Festival will be back at St Mary’s Oval (beside GMHBA Stadium) from 2-4pm, with first bounce in the AFLW match at 4.10pm. Get your tickets here. She is Football.