After a long and gruelling preseason the 2024 AFLW season is finally here, with Geelong ready to begin their campaign on Saturday night against Melbourne.

The Cats have put in the hard yards in preparation for Week 1, looking to build on a successful 2023 season which saw the team make it to a Preliminary Final.

Winning the first final in their AFLW history, Geelong went on to secure an iconic Semi-Final victory against this week’s opponent, Melbourne before falling agonisingly short of their first ever Grand Final.  

Despite turning plenty of heads with their incredible 2023 season, Cats coach Dan Lowther said the team is maintaining the mentality of being a hunter, not the hunted.

14:24

Dan Lowther Press Conference | Week 1

Senior Coach Dan Lowther speaks to media ahead of Geelong's Week 1 clash with the Demons at GMHBA Stadium. Proudly Presented by Deakin

“We finished fifth on the ladder last year, so we are still hunting teams above us and that is our mentality,” Lowther said.

“We are not quite there and we want to be challenging the best teams, so having a fairly successful season last year and playing in a Prelim doesn't change anything.

“There is no real expectation on taking one more step forward to prove to everyone we are getting better.

“Consistency and competitiveness are things that drive our program, so for the players coming in and playing new roles that is the message: Can you be consistent and competitive?”

Geelong will open their 2024 season with a rematch of last year’s Semi-Final, taking on Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cats home ground started to turn into a fortress near the end of the 2023 season, winning their last three consecutive games at the venue with the full backing of Geelong’s incredible supporters.

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No Ceiling | Episode 2

Geelong's preseason will set them up for success in season 2024, come behind the scenes with Zali Friswell, Becky Webster and Jackie Parry as they discuss what high performance traits are needed to compete at the elite level. Proudly Presented by Deakin University.

Lowther encouraged the Cats faithful to turn up in numbers on Saturday night, noting how important it is for the team to have the support from a loud Geelong crowd.

“We are lucky to have this open slate for us to have as many people come to GMHBA Stadium as possible,” Lowther said.

“It is no surprise that when you play in front of a big crowd, the team gets a real buzz and thrill from it. Geelong's crowd is second to none, it is unparalleled.

“If you are a Geelong supporter, get along and support your club because it makes a big difference. It is a bit of a fortress down here, we are lucky to have a tier one stadium which is brilliant.”

Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster, or follow the link below to secure your Cats AFLW membership for the 2024 season.