Cats defender Maddy McMahon says playing with confidence will be key to Geelong turning its fortunes around against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

After a promising showing against Carlton a fortnight ago, the Cats were “really disappointed” with their performance against the West Coast Eagles on Monday, but McMahon is hopeful the Cats can bounce back in their final game at GMHBA Stadium for the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s competition.

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“We just need to rally around each other, and hopefully the last two games are more positive for us,” she said.

“The positivity and playing for each other (will be important). It sort of goes a little missing when you lose a lot and get that confidence down.

“If we can go in with confidence – our game plans and preparation before the season was positive, and I think we’ve got the girls who can do that. It’s just a matter of having that belief.

“It’s tough after a hard loss, but I think now, (at) training, we get positive again and it’s just that fight that we need to bring into this week to get the win.”

Maddy McMahon gets a kick away against Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium in Round 3

With the Giants vying for a spot in the finals, the Cats know they face a formidable test.

McMahon said the Cats’ defence in particular would need to be wary of the Giants’ pace.

“They’ve had a great season, they’re great in the contest, they’re hard runners and they’re a fast team,” she said.

“Their forward line is certainly pretty fast. Now, and when we played them a couple of years ago, they got out the back a lot, and that’s hurt us a lot this year, so that’s something we need to look at to try to stop that from happening.

“They’re going to be tough, so we just need to bring the best we can bring, and hopefully we get out on top.”

McMahon lauded the brilliant support of so many Cats fans and members over the course of a trying season. The Cats are hopeful of another great crowd to cheer on the Cats as they strive for a breakthrough in their final home game.

“It’s so positive – everywhere I go now still, people that talk to me about footy are still so positive,” McMahon said.

“The Geelong crowd make such a difference for us … hopefully we can get a fair crowd down to our last home game. It’s a while until we play again at home, so it will be great to have a big crowd to support us hopefully for our first win on the weekend.”

Among the crowd on Saturday will be more than 100 people from the local multicultural community for the Geelong Cats’ Welcome to Our Game event, held during Harmony Week.

Many of those attending the event have either never attended a match before or had an opportunity to play Australian football. The event aims to help create a sense of belonging, connection and a new opportunity to enjoy the game.

“It’s Harmony Week this week, which celebrates multicultural diversity in Australia, with the message ‘everyone belongs’,” McMahon said.

“The club have invited more than 100 people from our multicultural community around Geelong to the game, and that gives them an opportunity or experiences that they many not have had in the past.

“It’s special to have them there. Hopefully they feel included and like the belong.

“It’s a great initiative by the club, so we’re proud to be able to put that game on for them, and proud to be a part of a club that is able to include people who don’t have opportunities like that.”

The Cats face the Giants at 1.10pm Saturday, March 20 at GMHBA Stadium.