Geelong’s VFLW side have suffered their second loss of the season, going down to the NT Thunder 2.8 (20) to the local’s 13.7 (85) at TIO Stadium, Darwin on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats were on the back foot from the opening bounce, with the Thunder’s strong start, pressure and skill not wavering from start to finish.

The opening quarter saw the Cats lose defender Lara Williams to a knee injury, as the Thunder piled on four goals to nil on a hot Darwin afternoon.

The Cats were able to steady in the second term, finding more of the footy and more time inside forward 50. Despite their efforts, they went into half time goalless and without Anna Teague who left the field with a clavicle injury late in the second term.

Forward Danielle Orr lifted the group in the third quarter, booting the side’s first goal for the day.

Orr’s conversion was a rare moment, missed opportunities in front of goal the theme of the day for the Cats.

The final term saw the Cats continue to fight, but it wasn’t enough to match the Thunder’s ferocity, going down by 65-points.

Geelong’s VFLW Coach Paul Hood reflected on a tough day for his side.

“Thunder came at us really hard, they got their tails up and we found it difficult to stop until we got together at quarter time,” Hood said.

“It was probably a tale of the inefficiencies with the ball. At one stage I looked at the scoreboard and the Thunder were 8.1 and we were 1.8.

“That said a little bit about the composure of both teams with the ball on the night. We were doing pretty well at that stage to get our hands on the footy but just blazing away and having shots from positions it’s hard to score from.”

Rocky Cranston led from the front, her strength in the contest a highlight for the Cats.

“Rocky Cranston did her best to lead from the front, kicking a goal in that last quarter. She did well, fighting really hard,” Hood said.

“I thought Maddie Boyd really gave us a lift in the second and third quarters, she was fighting really hard.

“And Maddie McMahon was serviceable around the ground and in the ruck as well. But a lot of us were soundly beaten by our opponents today, credit to the Thunder, they played really well.”

Significant injuries to Lara Williams and Anna Teague soured the Cats’ day even further.

“It was disappointing obviously to be down a couple of rotations but more significantly on Lara’s injury and for that to happen in the first 10 seconds was a real shame for her and we wish her well for the news on her knee,” Hood said.

The Cats will travel home from Darwin on Sunday to begin their preparation for next Saturday’s clash with the Southern Saints at Deakin University.

“There’s a lot of recovery in the front part of the week, already the girls are getting in the pools and doing what they need to do to get up for next week,” Hood said.

“It will be light training early in the week but then we will really work hard at sharpening up our skills in the back end of the week and regrouping and getting things right for the Saints.”


VFL Women’s Round Nine
Geelong Cats 2.8 (20) defeated by NT Thunder 13.7 (85)
Goals: Orr, Cranston
Best: Goring, Cranston, Keryk, McDonald, McMahon, Boyd
Injuries: Williams (knee), Teague (clavicle)
Reports: nil
@ TIO Stadium, Darwin