Geelong’s AFLW squad will hit the track for the first time in 2023, as they begin their preparation next week for the upcoming NAB AFLW season.
The Cats will return for season eight with following a successful off-season, which saw them retain their largest cohort of players to date while adding some fresh talent to the team.
Kate Surman will wear the blue and white hoops for the first time in 2023, following a trade from Port Adelaide over the off-season.
Irish rookies Aishling Moloney and Anna Rose Kennedy will provide some dash for Geelong, while Erin Hoare also returns to the Cats to bolster the ruck stocks.
Star Cat, Nina Morrison said the team is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
“I think I’m excited just to get the whole group together again,” Morrison told Cats Media.
“Obviously, it’s been a while, with the addition of a few new players. We’ve got a couple new recruits from Ireland, Rachel will be back as well, Kate Sermon from Port Adelaide.
“We have a few more players added to the mix, which will really round out the group.”
Geelong will look to build on a successful campaign last season, which saw them finish fifth on the ladder with seven wins from their ten games.
The Cats fell agonisingly short in their elimination final, but showed plenty of promise in their best season yet.
Morrison said the team will look to take their game to the next level this year.
“We laid some really good foundations over the last couple of years, and made some significant improvement.
“The next is challenge is to keep on building on that. I think it comes back to getting stuck into pre-season, and doing the work from day one.
“Obviously, it’s no guarantee that just because we had a good season last year that it’ll continue, but put the foundations in place and work hard over pre-season and it should come to fruition.”
Morrison will return to a strong Geelong midfield, which includes three time best and fairest Amy McDonald and rising star Georgie Prespakis.
After working her way back from a serious knee injury in 2021, Morrison managed five games last season, averaging 14-disposals and six-tackles per game.
Morrison said finding her most suited role will be one big focus over the pre-season.
“I think last year I was playing a few different positions; over the pre-season it’ll be getting some role clarity around where I play,” she said.
“A big focus going into this year will be how we sharpen up our attack, so I’m looking to play my role in that part.”
“It’s felt like a long time since we finished up last year. We’re all feeling pretty refreshed and eager to get back into it, it’s just around the corner now which is good.”
The Cats will commence pre-season next week, with the AFLW season set to begin in September.
