Premiership winning ruck Aasta O’Connor will face her old side for the first time when Geelong take on the Western Bulldogs this Saturday night at Whitten Oval.
The 31-year-old made the move from the Bulldogs to the Cats at the end of last season and impressed in the ruck in Round 1 against Collingwood with 18 hit outs.
O’Connor isn’t the only former Bulldog now at Geelong. Defender Meghan McDonald will also play against her former teammates after playing with the Dogs in 2017.
McDonald most likely match up on Bulldogs co-captain Katie Brennan who made a solid return to AFLW last weekend after an injury plagued 2018 season. Brennan took four marks and kicked both of her side’s goals in the Bulldogs one-point win over the Adelaide Crows.
The Cats will also be keeping an eye on strong bodied midfielder Ellie Blackburn. Blackburn is damaging around stoppages and Geelong midfielders Maddy Keryk, Liv Purcell and Julia Crockett-Grills will be watching her intently.
Geelong forward Maddy Boyd will most likely match up against the Bulldogs’ Lauren Spark. Both players had break out games in their respective Round 1 matches. Boyd kicked two goals and had 11 disposals, whilst Spark took 11 marks in defence.
The Cats will have a tall forward line with the inclusion of Phoebe McWilliams who returns this week after missing Round 1 with hamstring tightness and 181cm Kate Darby.
Number one draft pick Nina Morrison is a huge out for the Cats having ruptured her ACL at training on Thursday night.
