Geelong’s VFLW showed the competition that they’re a force to be reckoned with from the first bounce to the final siren, registering a 76-point win over the Darebin Falcons on Saturday.

The 12.6 (78) to 0.2 (2) victory took the Cats' 2023 record to 2-1.

The Cats started off strong finishing the first quarter with three goals in a row. Sachi Degiacomi settled in early opening with two goals, Liv Cicolini followed with the first of her two majors for the half.

After the half time break, the Cats powered through with goals from DeGiacomi, Sophia O’Dea and Chloe Scheer.

In an exhilarating final quarter, DeGiacomi kicked her fourth and final goal, bringing the Cats to a dominant victory.

Geelong Cats VFLW Senior Coach Elise Coventry highlighted that the Cat’s resounding success was not a result of changing the team’s strategy.

“We really homed in on getting ourselves set up at stoppages and breaks to play the style we want to play,” she said. 

“Structurally, we try to set up at a stoppage being positioned to defend and attack the Geelong way, which I think they did really well.

 “Overall (I am) feeling really positive. A lot of what we’ve trained for in the pre-season - and this week in particular - came through in the game, so it was nice for us coaches to see that from watching, but also the players to feel that out on the ground."

DeGiacomi’s strong performance across the match was a fine result and a masterful display of the midfielder/forward's forward craft.

 “We actually chose to play (DeGiacomi) forward because of what we saw against Carlton: she’s a really strong overhead mark, so she’s able to link us out of the midfield into our inside fifty," Coventry said.

"But to see her then take and get on the end of marks inside fifty, and then capitalise on that was really positive."

Standout players from the game were Emily Ramsay playing along the wing, as well as defenders Melissa Bragg and Bree Beckley.

“Emily had herself in really good positions and had a really consistent performance across the four quarters, where she was playing really important roles for us on and the off ball,” Coventry said.

“Renee Garing in the midfield again - her second game back - just finding herself even more comfortable today. And then Liv Cicolini was another one who I think each week doesn’t get a heap of it but, when she does, she uses it well and today she was able to score again.

“Now I look forward to the challenge against Southern Saints, who knocked us out of the Elimination Final (last year), and I want to try bringing that sort of game style for them.

"I’m hoping to see some of the positive things we’ve just mentioned against a top-four side - everything we’ve put in place, just the role clarity and method, to bring that next week."

Next Sunday, Geelong will face the Saints at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval in Sandringham, with first bounce at 9.45am.

VFLW Round 3

Geelong   3.2   6.3   11.4   12.6 (78)
Darebin    0.0   0.0    0.0     0.2 (2)

GOALS
Geelong: Sachi DeGiacomi 4, Chloe Scheer 2, Liv Cicolini 2, Mia Skinner, Charlotte Simpson, Sophie O'Dea, Analea McKee

BEST
Geelong: Chloe Scheer, Sachi DeGiacomi, Emily Ramsay, Mel Bragg, Bree Beckley