Geelong has begun the new campaign in style with a 48-point win over an injury-ridden Western Bulldogs.

The Cats dominated the Bulldogs on Saturday, running out 10.5 (65) to 2.5 (17) victors at GHMBA Stadium in front of 4404 fans.

CATS v DOGS Full match coverage and stats

Georgie Prespakis (34 disposals,10 clearances,12 tackles) and Amy McDonald (28, nine, 12) were crucial in the midfield, helping the Cats to 35 inside-50s to the Bulldogs' 27.

Former Melbourne player Jacqueline Parry kicked the opening two majors for Geelong, with Gaelic football convert Aishling Moloney scoring a goal on her AFLW debut.

00:24

A Parry Party

Jacqui Parry delivers this brilliant finish to give herself a hat-trick of majors.

Club debutant Kate Surman also grabbed two majors, with McDonald, Nina Morrison, Chloe Scheer and Darcy Moloney booting one each.

"It's been absolutely amazing. I don't know if I've settled in ... you have to be patient with this game," Aishling Moloney told Fox Footy post-match.

"It's a game of chaos as I'm told, so you just need to embrace the chaos.

"This game is just unbelievable ... I know my parents are watching back home. To have them sitting back and watching me, that's what dreams are made of."

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Kate Surman of Geelong runs with the ball during the round one AFLW match between Geelong Cats and Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium, on September 02, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

The Bulldogs went goalless in the first half, unable to answer five majors from the Cats despite an immense effort by All-Australian ruck Alice Edmonds (32 hitouts).

Skipper Ellie Blackburn (27 disposals, five clearances) and Kirsty Lamb (14 disposals, two clearances) were prolific for the Bulldogs but unable to quell the midfield threat posed by the surging Prespakis and McDonald.

The Bulldogs' midfield faced a further setback in the second quarter with Dominique Carruthers (eight disposals) subbed off injured.

00:20

AFLW Team Song | Round 1

Watch the Cats celebrate their round one win

Defender Elle Bennetts is another injury worry for the Bulldogs, having spent considerable time on the ground with suspected anterior cruciate ligament damage after a mid-air clash with Parry.

Sarah Hartwig kicked the Bulldogs' only goals, putting her side on the board in the last five minutes of the third quarter before being subbed off in the final quarter with a potential corked thigh.

Geelong's 65 points on Saturday is the highest it has recorded in five meetings with the Bulldogs, surpassing its previous best of 37 from last season.

Round 1 Showreel

  • 01:36
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Amy McDonald Highlights | Round 1

    Take a look at Amy McDonald's highlights from our Round 1 clash against the Bulldogs.

    AFLW
  • 08:30
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    AFLW | Hoare Press Conference

    Erin Hoare speaks to media after making her return to AFLW in Geelong's round one win over the Western Bulldogs. Presented by Ford.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 10:39
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    AFLW | Moloney Press Conference

    Aishling Moloney speaks to media on Monday after making her AFLW debut against the Bulldogs in Round 1. Presented by Ford.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 01:33

    Kate Surman Highlights | Round 1

    New in the Hoops but up to her same old tricks, Kate Surman was high impact and pressure in her first game for Geelong.

    AFLW
  • 05:30

    AFLW Round 1 Highlights

    Watch the highlights from our Round 1 clash with the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium.

    AFLW
  • 03:57

    Lowther Post Game | AFLW Round 1

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round one's match against Western Bulldogs. Presented by Viva Energy.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 01:03

    Georgie's Hot Start | Round 1 Highlights

    Georgie Prespakis was on fire against the Dogs, becoming only the second player in AFLW history to record 30 touches, 10 tackles and 10 clearances in a game!

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 03:15

    Jackie Parry Interview | Round 1

    Fresh off an equal career-best haul of three goals, Jackie Parry spoke to Cats Media. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:20

    AFLW Team Song | Round 1

    Watch the Cats celebrate their round one win

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:24

    A Parry Party

    Jacqui Parry delivers this brilliant finish to give herself a hat-trick of majors.

    AFLW
  • 00:33

    Scheer Spins And Scores

    Chloe Scheer capitalises from a great assist from Aishling Moloney.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:36

    Morrison Masterclass

    Nina Morrison snags this brilliant goal just before the quarter-time siren to give her side a handy cushion.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:51

    Jumper Presentations | AFLW Round 1

    Geelong's three debutants Abbey McDonald, Aishling Moloney and Kate Surman receive their jumpers pre-game. Presented by Ford.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 01:01

    One Club | Round 1

    Dan Lowther spoke at his weekly press conference ahead of Round 1. Proudly Presented by Viva.

    AFLW
  • 11:07
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Dan Lowther Press Conference | Round 1

    Dan Lowther speaks to the media ahead of Round 1 of the AFLW season. Proudly Presented by Viva Energy.

    AFLW
  • 02:24

    Memorable Moments Before Round 1

    Dan Lowther met with 5 players before Round 1 to share some good news with them. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFLW
  • 06:59

    Amy McDonald Press Conference | Round 1

    Amy McDonald spoke to the media before Geelong take on the Dogs in Round 1 of the AFLW season. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 34:32
    Podcast
    Podcast

    Yeah The Girls! A Geelong Cats Podcast - Episode 1

    Welcome to the new Geelong Cats AFLW Podcast, featuring Hosts Renee Garing, Becky Webster and Georgie Rankin. During the AFLW season, the team will be covering all topics from AFLW, Women's Sport, Which Cat Is That, and the fan favourite, Ranking ...

    AFLW
    podcasts
  • 02:21

    "Because You're Good Enough"

    The AFLW team are raring and ready to go for Round 1 this Saturday night against the Dogs.

    AFLW
  • 02:29
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Kate Darby Post Game | Practice Match

    Kate Darby spoke to Cats Media after a strong performance in the practice match against Adelaide. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFLW
    aflw

Up Next

Geelong goes on the road to take on Sydney next Saturday, while the Bulldogs host Hawthorn at Mars Stadium in Ballarat on Sunday.

GEELONG     3.1       5.3       6.3       10.5 (65)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     0.0       0.4       2.5       2.5 (17)

GOALS
Geelong: Parry 3, Surman 2, Morrison, Scheer, A.Moloney, A.McDonald, D.Moloney
Western Bulldogs: Hartwig 2

BEST 
Geelong: Prespakis, A.McDonald, Parry, Morrison, D.Moloney, Crocket-Grills
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Edmonds, Fitzgerald, Lynch, Hartwig

INJURIES 
Geelong: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Bennetts (knee), Carruthers (TBC), Hartwig (thigh)

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Rylie Wilcox (illness) replaced in selected side by Maggie Gorham

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 4404 at GMHBA Stadium