Geelong’s VFLW side has kicked off its inaugural season in fine style, keeping Box Hill goalless in a dominant first win at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.

The Cats stunned the Hawks from the first bounce, looking quicker and more ferocious around the contest, and winning 9.4 (58) to 0.2 (2).

Jordan Ivey was a standout, booting two goals in the first quarter, followed by a remarkable goal from the boundary line in the final term.

Midfielder Elise Strachan, another AFLW player in 2017, was also impressive, kicking two majors for the match and confirming her reputation as an elite runner.

Geelong Cats VFLW coach Paul Hood said he “couldn’t be prouder” of his side for a great team performance.

“The girls really had a crack and gave themselves an opportunity with numbers at the contest and sharing the ball,” Hood said.

“Box Hill played a lot better than the scoreboard probably reflects. They put some really good pressure on and it was tough for them that they couldn’t convert a few times.”

Former Geelong Supercats basketball captain Anna Teague was terrific in defence and proved difficult to beat in marking contests, while Lily Mithen was another impressive contributor.

Hood credited the side’s great ball movement and competitiveness for the win.

“There were plenty of opportunities when it looked like the opposition were going to score or take the ball out of the contest,” he said.

“But we just clawed our way through, and got a hand in or got a spoil in, and the next number was a Geelong player.

“They did that over and over again and got their due reward.

“It’s always good when you’ve got a competitive team like that, they really drive themselves very well and it’s a great start to the season.”

The match was not without its fair share of hard hits, with Elise Coventry, Danielle Higgins and Hayley Trevean all receiving knocks, though there were no injuries or reports.

The Cats will look to continue their unbeaten run next Saturday against Seaford Tigerettes at Ocean Grove.

“We had a lot of opportunities with handball to start some run and carry, so we’ll keep chipping away at that,” Hood said. 

“But it’s not going to take long. When the girls work as hard as they do, it’s going to click soon.”

Geelong 9.4 (58) defeated Box Hill Hawks 0.2 (2)

Goals: Ivey 3, Strachan 2, Trevean, Surgeon, Habib, Garing

Coaches’ best: Ivey, Teague, Trevean, Mithen, Strachan, Wollett

@SimondsStadium