The Geelong VFLW side has entered a period of change in 2023, with a number of new faces joining the Cats during the off-season.
After a successful campaign in 2022 saw the VFLW side finish in the top four, the Cats are looking to go one better this year. Geelong gained a number of AFLW experienced players during the off-season such as Poppy Schaap from Carlton, while Abby Favell and Sarah Perrott made the move from the Box Hill Hawks.
The Cats started their 2023 season against North Melbourne last Saturday, with an incredible nine players debuting for their first outing in the hoops.
But perhaps the biggest change to the VFLW Cats team was at the top, with a new leader taking charge of the side.
Young Cat, Chloe Leonard has taken over as captain in just her third year with the VFLW Cats, having proven herself as a natural-born leader in her first two seasons.
Being voted in by her teammates and coaches, Chloe said it was honour to be trusted with the role for season 2023.
“It’s massive that they think that of me,” she told geelongcats.com.au this week.
“For me though, I don’t do what I do for the leadership position. It’s just something that I have always done, speaking up and driving standards.
“But it’s still very special.”
Speaking on the new list and the round one debutants, Chloe was full of praise for the team and their motivation heading into the season.
“It was awesome to have the nine debutants on the weekend and they all did an amazing job, played their role which was great to see,” Leonard said.
“It’s just the characters of the girls, everyone gets around one another and tries to keep the positivity at training. It’s a long pre-season, so since November we have spent a lot of time together. It’s been really good that they have come in, worked extremely hard and pushed the standards.
“It’s been awesome.”
The Cats VFLW side kicked off their season last Saturday, in a tough battle with North Melbourne at Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct. The team fought hard right to the end, but came up just short in a nine-point loss to the Kangaroos.
Geelong had plenty of positives across the park, as they stuck with North Melbourne right to the final siren. Charlotte Simpson booted two of the Cats three goals, while others such as Abbey McDonald, Analea McKee and Poppy Schaap stood out with their composure and skill.
In her first outing as Geelong captain, Chloe said although disappointing not to come away with the win, there was lots to be happy about.
“Obviously we would’ve loved to win on the weekend, but the fight from the girls was there for the entire game. We gave it 100% right to the final siren, which was really promising and pleasing to see,” she said.
“I think we’re only going to get better; we had nine debutants and two who hadn’t played for a very long time at VFL level. It’s a fresh group, we’re only going to get better each week and I think it’s going to be an exciting season.”
The VFLW Cats will be looking for their first win of the 2023 season, as they take on Carlton this Saturday at Ikon Park.
