Meg McDonald has provided insight into the Cats successful 2023 season, noting how the result has given the group belief that they can achieve anything heading into a new campaign.  

Geelong won the first final in their AFLW history last year, making it all the way through to a Preliminary Final before falling four points short of making their first ever Grand Final. 

McDonald will lead the team as Captain for a fifth straight year, with a big preseason leaving the Cats optimistic ahead of their upcoming 2024 campaign.  

Geelong’s skipper touched on the end of last year during her press conference on Tuesday, noting how it has driven the playing group to reach higher standards over the off season.  

“It was a source of great pride to have made it to a Preliminary Final, to put ourselves in a position to play in a Grand Final spoke to the trajectory that we were on,” McDonald said. 

“To be in that position and to play the way we were, you have to be in a place of really deep belief.  

“To be in that place to think we could do it, then to experience that kind of disappointment is really hard.  

“At the same time you are able to contextualise it and to know it's a step along our journey, to hopefully go further in the future.  

“That drove improvement over the off season.” 

The Cats had their first hit-out of 2024 in a match simulation against Collingwood last week, getting some important playing minutes against a quality opposition to start their year.  

Preseason will continue to ramp up this week, as Geelong head to Windy Hill for their official practice match against Essendon, before preparing for their season opener against Melbourne on the August 31.  

McDonald believes the group is in a great position following their hit-out against Collingwood.  

“We are tracking really well,” McDonald said.  

“When you play against an opposition team and things ramp up, you get a bit of a different feeling where you have to adapt to find your levels, tempo and intensity for the first time.  

“That is what match simulation is for, I would love to be standing here and be as excited as anything but that is not the reality at the end of a preseason. 

“It was a good opportunity to see our potential, but be reminded of our areas that need improvement and that will happen this weekend against Essendon.” 

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