Round One has finally arrived with the Cats to take on the Dockers at Fremantle Oval on Sunday.
Ahead of the match we take a look at three key matchups that could help determine who prevails in the opening round of the season.
Jordan Ivey v Kiara Bowers
Bowers made her long-awaited AFLW debut in Round 1 last year after a terrible run with injury that saw her sidelined for the first two seasons.
The 28-year-old showed why she was signed as one of the club’s marquee players having an immediate impact on the Dockers’ midfield.
Last season Bowers averaged 17 disposals a game and a whopping 11 tackles earning her All Australian honours and winning Fremantle’s best and fairest.
Ivey is one of the Cats’ toughest midfielders who won’t shy away from a hard-hitting tackle.
Having made the move to the midfield last AFLW season, Ivey has spent the past 12 months perfecting her midfield craft.
The 27-year-old had an excellent VFLW season finishing second in the club’s best and fairest.
Bowers will be a good challenge for Ivey.
If the Cats’ number five can stop Bowers getting her hands on the ball it will go a long way to stopping the Dockers.
Bec Goring v Gemma Houghton
With the absence of Meghan McDonald (broken finger) the Cats will need to find a new match up for the athletic Houghton.
Houghton is both tall (179cm) and quick and can cause headaches for defenders when she uses her pace to run onto the ball inside forward 50.
Goring is the next most experienced defender after McDonald and her height will match it with Houghton.
Goring will need to block Houghton’s run and keep her outside forward 50 in order to stop Fremantle’s most dangerous forward.
Kara Antonio v Nina Morrison
Morrison looks set to make her return to AFLW after rupturing her ACL last season.
In her only game for 2019 Morrison kicked the winning point, collected 22 disposals and was nominated for the competition’s Rising Star award.
It’s been a long road to recovery for the 19-year-old who looks stronger than ever.
The former number one draft pick has spent the past 12 months in the gym building her strength and hasn’t missed a beat this pre-season winning the team’s 2km time trial and shuttle run.
Antonio is a veteran of women’s football having played at the highest level for a number of years.
The 27-year-old is a classy ball user and expert decision maker. As captain of the Dockers she often sets the tone for her team.
Watching these two battle it out is sure to be a highlight of Sunday’s game.
