Geelong’s new-look VFLW team showed plenty of promise in its season-opener against North Melbourne on Saturday, but ultimately went down by nine points at Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct.
Charlotte Simpson – who kicked the first goal of the game and of her career – was the only multiple goalkicker on the ground as the teams battled out a tough 4.5 (29) to 3.2 (20) contest.
With both team’s defence coming to the fore early, it was tough for either side to score in the opening quarter, going into the first break 2-1 the Kangaroos’ way.
But Simpson broke through midway through the second quarter, giving the Cats the lead until Felicity Theodore responded for the visitors late in the term.
The Roos hopped away with a couple of goals in quick succession in the third, before the returning Cheryl de Groot slotted one through just before three-quarter-time to keep the Cats in the contest heading into the last quarter.
But a goal apiece in the final quarter as Simpson again found the goals saw the Kangaroos hold on for a nine-point win.
Geelong’s defence stood tall all day, with new captain Chloe Leonard rising to the occasion, the benefit of a season alongside fellow defenders Bree Beckley and Melissa Bragg showing through with good connection between the trio.
Bragg was reading the play beautifully and intercepting well, as was recruit and fellow tall defender Sarah Perrott.
“I thought down back, our two talls - Sarah Perrott with her first game and ‘Braggy’ - were pretty good with intercept marks,” Geelong VFLW Senior Coach Coventry said.
“‘Rams’ (Emily Ramsay) out on the wing held her width and kept us in the game out on her left foot. Poppy Schaap’s work rate all day was good.
“Analea (McKee) up forward, her contested marking is a real highlight of her game but also gives us a really good chance to go forward when she takes those, and ‘Killa’ (Kalani Scoullar) in the ruck won the hit-outs quite considerably. Giving us first look at the footy was good for us.”
The intent to bring pressure was clear across the ground, with some brilliant tackling from Eliza Wilson-MacDonald and Abby Favell in particular.
With a lot of new faces and young players in the team, Coventry said there was an element of nerves early in the contest, but the players would be the better for having the hit-out under their belts.
“From the first quarter to the last there was a lot of improvement within the game, which is a positive sign, that we can make improvements to our game plan and the way we’re playing within a game,” Coventry said.
“So now we’ve got two training sessions and some edits and things to look at to help us get better before Round 2. It’s a 14-round season, so the growth will continue.”
The Cats will take on Carlton next Saturday at Ikon Park.
VFLW Round 1
Geelong 0.1 1.1 2.2 3.2 (20)
North Melbourne 0.2 1.4 3.5 4.5 (29)
GOALS
Geelong: Charlotte Simpson 2, Cheryl de Groot
North Melbourne: Felicity Theodore, Emily Paterno, Jess Mourney, Ciara Fitzgerald
BEST
Geelong: Charlotte Simpson, Abbey McDonald, Analea McKee, Melissa Bragg, Abby Favell, Poppy Schaap
North Melbourne: Marianna Anthony, Jess Jones, Marli Klaumanns-Mouller, Felicity Theodore
