Round 3 rolls around and Geelong have put their first mark in the winners column, after a three goal victory against the Southern Saints at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday.
Fast out of the gates, the Saints quickly had Geelong on the back foot, scoring a goal within the first minute of the game. With the game largely battled in the Saints’ forward half, Cats defenders were under immense pressure early in the contest.
Geelong defender Jamilla Cranny was impressive early, allowing nothing to come easy for the Saints forwards. The Cats were able to keep the game close, with just a seven-point deficit at quarter time.
Despite being kept scoreless in the second quarter, Geelong were able to wrestle things back onto their own terms with plenty of repeat inside 50’s to finish the term. However, it was the Saints who would head into the major break up by 15 points.
Geelong came out after halftime with a new lease of energy, and with goals from Abbey McDonald and Zoe Larkins, they were able to win the third quarter, kicking two goals to one to cut the margin back to just seven points.
Sophie Mahar become a real asset for Geelong, making key plays to lift her teammates and help shift the momentum of the game.
“The thing that stood out about Soph, is that she just has the desire to have the ball in her hands,” VFLW Coach Elise Coventry told Geelong Cats Media post game.
“She’ll overtake two or three girls to get there first.
“That ability to win the footy is just outstanding for us.”
Geelong carried their third quarter form into the fourth, kicking the first goal 3 minutes in, from the boot of Breanna Pratt, and cutting the margin to just one point.
With another two quick goals from Chantal Mason and Olivia Stewart, it was Geelong now in the drivers seats, leading the contest be 11 points.
The Saints were able to reduce the margin back to five points with eight minutes remaining, but Geelong were able to put the game on ice after Jane McMeel and Cheryl De Groot booted the last two goals of the game and secured a 8.6 (54) to 5.6 (36) victory for the visitors.
The match was a tale of two halves. The Saints dominated clearances and were +12 inside 50s in the first half before the Cats flipped the script producing a near identical stateline in the second half to fight their way back from an early deficit.
Abbey McDonald was the leading disposal getter with 25 touches on return.
Geelong's next opponent will be Darebin. That match will take place in Colac on Saturday with the first bounce at 1pm AEST.
VFLW Round 3
Southern Saints 2.3 3.5 4.6 5.6 (36)
Geelong Cats 1.2 1.2 3.5 8.6 (54)
Goals
Southern Saints: Hunt 2, Phillips, Laing, Friend
Geelong Cats: Stewart, Pratt, Plummer, McMeel, McDonald, Mason, Larkins, De Groot
Disposals
Southern Saints: Friend 21, Foran 20, Ryan, De Angelis 19
Geelong Cats: McDonald 25, Schaap, Pratt 18, Plummer, Fuller, Burchell 13
