Missing several key players, Geelong has clawed its way back onto the winners' list with an important win over Darebin Falcons at La Trobe University on Sunday.

The Cats were without a host of AFLW-listed players that have been influential in their season to date, while state league stars Charlotte Simpson (injured) and Sachi DeGiacomi (illness) were also unavailable, but the Cats dug deep to defeat the Falcons 4.9 (33) to 0.4 (4).

With several new faces in the team – including three debutants in Mia Fuller, Ruby Bowers and late inclusion Emma Gilligan – the Cats took some time to settle into the contest, but their effort was clear from the outset.

Jane McMeel kicked the only goal of the opening half, as the Cats held much of the play in their attacking end, but couldn’t find the last kick to goal, leading by nine points on the scoreboard but winning the inside 50 count 28-8 at the main break.

AFLW ruck Liv Fuller added a new position to her resume, playing forward, with tall defender Sarah Perrott reprising role in the ruck, where she had played much of her football prior to joining Geelong.

The Cats looked more polished in the second half, adding 3.5 to their score and keeping the Falcons goalless as they built a percentage-boosting win to remain atop the table.

Breanna Pratt led the way on the scoreboard with two goals, while Liv Fuller and Jane McMeel also registered majors.

"We made six changes throughout the week, some forced, some just situationally-based. But we brought in three debutants, and everyone, I felt, settled in well," Geelong VFLW coach Elise Coventry said.

"We looked a little bit like we hadn't played together (with this line-up) at the beginning - we didn't seem out of control, but we couldn't finish our work. By the second half, we saw some really nice football where they put together some nice passages of play and end with scores on the board."

Coventry praised the efforts of Geelong's forward line, who presented well all day as the Cats won the inside 50 count 53-15. Liv Fuller looked at home in her new position, while Pratt finished with 17 disposals and five marks to go with her two goals.

"I thought all forwards presented themselves really well in marking contents, but for Pratty, it seemed to come together that she would take the mark and finish the work," Coventry said.

"But I thought the whole forward line gave us some good looks - it didn't always come off, but they just kept working at it, which was nice.

"(Fuller) made herself look at home. Her and Analea (McKee) are starting to work together really well in that role. Both are obviously good options for us to kick to, and both of them had to compete at times against two defenders."

With some of the Cats more experienced stars out, leadership group members Abby Favell and Breanna Beckley stepped up, providing excellent on-field leadership.

Favell finished with 28 disposals - the most of anyone on the ground - as well as seven marks, six tackles and four clearances, while Beckley was the Cats' next highest possession-getter with 23, to go with seven marks and three tackles.

"Bree Beckley, to begin the game, she set the standard from the beginning. (Beckley) attacked the ball and moved the ball with a lot of composure once she got her hands on it," Coventry said.

"Abby Favell in the midfield just took on the challenge today, because we lost quite a few of our midfield. Obviously Simpson was out, Renee Garing out, who take on a lot of that load. We put it on Abby today that she would have to be her, and she didn't shy away from it.

"Just her footwork and her ability to get from inside to out was super."

The Cats are on the road again next Saturday, taking on the big challenge of Essendon at the NEC Hangar.

VFLW Round 8 – Darebin Falcons v Geelong

Darebin Falcons   0.0   0.1   0.1   0.4 (4)
Geelong Cats        1.2   1.4   2.6   4.9 (33)

GOALS
Darebin Falcons: -
Geelong: Breanna Pratt (2), Liv Fuller, Jane McMeel