Geelong will celebrate two milestones this weekend during their Round 3 AFLW clash with Collingwood when Kate Darby and Jackie Parry both play their 25th AFLW career games.
Since joining the club for its inaugural AFLW season in 2019, Darby has become a much loved member of the Cats locker room. The key forward/ruck was placed on the inactive list during the 2021 season while pregnant, but re-joined the playing list for season six after teammate Renee Garing announced her own pregnancy in late 2021.
Geelong teammates Meghan McDonald and Becky Webster, talking on the Catterboxes podcast, marvelled at Darby’s athleticism and durability, particularly post pregnancy.
“She's been in and out of the team at different points in her career and since having Ella has been in-in,” Geelong skipper McDonald told the podcast. “This would be her 12th consecutive game wouldn’t it? Looks like having a baby is good for you,” she laughed.
“She's the most incredible athlete. The thing is to get around her and play like that this week and attack the ball. When she flies at the ball you can't stop her.”
“Absolutely, Webster agreed “It's either coming to ground or she's marking it.”
Parry was one of the Cats’ offseason recruiting coups, joining Geelong from Melbourne along with Shelley Scott, during the 2022 Sign and Trade period.
The 25-year-old mobile forward has added a new dimension to the Cats attack this year, but her new teammates have been especially impressed with her contested work.
“I'm excited for JP,” Webster said.
“I think she's had some great games as well playing up the ground like a collision beast.
“Special shout out to her this week as well, she won our 'Grit Player' of the round, absolutely smashed it, contest after contest, crashing packs”.
Geelong currently sit in top spot on the AFLW ladder with a percentage of 350% and will face Collingwood this Saturday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium.
