The season comes down to this for the Cats, with a win securing their place in the post season as the AFLW finals series prepares to kick off next weekend.

Geelong will take on the old rival Hawthorn this Saturday, with a win ensuring the Cats will host an elimination final at GMHBA Stadium next week.

The Cats currently sit in seventh spot on the AFLW ladder, following their strong 38 point win over Richmond at IKON Park last week.

The Hawks are occupying 14th position on the ladder but have won two of their past three games, including an eight point victory over Port Adelaide last Sunday.

It’s a simple case of win and you are in for the Cats, with a loss opening up a number of potential outcomes heading into the finals.

This weekend’s clash will also mark the AFLW Pride Round, with Geelong and Hawthorn collaborating to celebrate the occasion on Saturday afternoon.

Saying Farewell to Renee Garing

Inaugural Cat, Renee Garing announced during the week that this will be her final AFLW season after seven years in the blue and white hoops.

Garing has been with Geelong since 2017 when she joined the Cats VFLW program, before having a profound impact as the club entered the AFLW competition in 2019.

The 35 year old returned for the 2023 season after missing season six through pregnancy, making her return and helping to guide the young Cats core throughout the year.

Garing recorded Geelong’s first ever official disposal in the AFLW in 2019, while also holding the club record for the most tackles in a single game.

With the round ten clash potentially Geelong’s last at GMHBA Stadium for the 2023 season, Cats fans are encouraged to come and celebrate the incredible career of Renee Garing this Saturday.

The Stat that Matters – Uncontested Possessions 

Geelong will face the number one tackling team in the competition this weekend, with the Hawks averaging 83 tackles per game across the 2023 season.

Hawthorn’s best performances this year have come in high contested games, restricting opposition ball movement and not allowing free flowing entries inside forward 50.

In order to combat the Hawks main strength this weekend, the Cats need to find a way to transition the ball out of the contest and amass bigger numbers of uncontested possessions.

The Cats have averaged nearly 150 uncontested possessions per game in their past two wins, in comparison to under 100 uncontested disposals in their previous two losses.

Geelong have looked at their best this year when they move the ball quickly into their forward line, allowing better opportunities for the forward line to find space and get dangerous.

These uncontested possessions are going to be crucial for the Cats this weekend, in order to open up the game and not get sucked into the brand of football that suits Hawthorn around the contest. 

Players to Watch

1.    Georgie Prespakis 

Big players stand up in big games, and there will be no bigger player on the ground this Saturday than Georgie Prespakis. 

The 20 year old has averaged over 24 disposals and eight tackles per game this year, rapidly developing into one of the top midfielders in the competition. 

With a finals berth on the line this weekend, watch for Prespakis to take over the midfield battle in order to push the Cats towards post season action. 

2.    Julia Crockett-Grills 

With the increased focus on clearing the contest this weekend to combat Hawthorn’s strength, Julia Crockett-Grills will play a vital role out on the wing in Geelong’s transition game. 

The 29 year old has put together another solid season in 2023, averaging over 12 disposals and five tackles per game while also pushing to hit the scoreboard last week against Richmond. 

If Geelong are to take away Hawthorn’s greatest asset around the contested football, watch for Crockett-Grills to impact the game outside the contest on the wings at GMHBA Stadium. 

What the Coach Said

“It will be another great challenge against the number one tackling team in Hawthorn this week. 

"We come up against the Hawks, who have won two of their last three games and one against a good team in Sydney. 

"They are a hotly contested team, they are young and full of exciting players and it will present another opportunity for our girls to show their growth as a team. 

"The challenge is there again, there is a little bit more on the line this week in regards; to do we want to play in the post season?

The answer is yes.”

Dan Lowther

Milestones

Claudia Gunjaca – 25 AFLW Games