A stunning fourth-quarter fightback is a sign of the exciting spirit of the VFLW Geelong Cats, according to midfielder Renee Garing.

The AFLW-listed Garing, who was playing her second VFLW game for the year, was full of praise for the team which turned 13-point deficit into an 11-point win with just a handful of minutes remaining against the Southern Saints last weekend.

“We’ve played it out to the last bounce and to the siren, and that just shows that they’ve got the fight that they want to take it all the way,” she said.

“It’s exciting for what’s to come in the rest of the season.”

With three rounds remaining in the VFLW season, the Cats are in outright second position on the ladder, behind only the undefeated Collingwood, with a finals spot guaranteed.

But with a clash against Carlton this Saturday and a top-of-the-table match-up against the Magpies the following weekend, Garing said the Cats wouldn’t be taking any contest lightly.

“Like our team, you don’t know what any side is going to look exactly like, because so many teams are changing over a fair number of their players to bring in AFLW players from week-to-week, and people are coming back from injuries and so forth,” Garing said.

“Certainly no game is a guaranteed win – and we know that in any season – but particularly this VFLW season.

“But there’s certainly a feeling within the group that when the group is playing their best footy, we can put it to any team and beat any team in the competition.”

While the Cats’ AFLW campaign didn’t go to plan, Garing said it was encouraging to see all the things the players had worked on and developed over the past seven months coming to the fore.

“Everyone who has come into the VFL has got that fire and (are) wanting to put it out there, and know all the development we had in the AFLW pre-season and into the season, that we weren’t necessarily showing week-to-week, that they’ve taken that into the VFLW,” Garing said.

“Whether it’s our AFLW teammates or VFLW teammates, we want to see the best out of everyone.

“There’s development from all of the players that we know is there. We’re starting to see it, and I hope that this continues through the finals, and then raring into the AFLW season ready to go and knowing what we can put out there.”

Garing praised the efforts of emerging Cats stars Becky Webster and Sophie Van De Heuvel, whose form has been impressive, and also highlighted Rocky Cranston’s efforts in front of goal after kicking seven goals across three matches.

That the Cats have been able to perform so consistently with a solid five-to-six player changeover each week – given only up to 10 AFLW-listed players can be named in the team each week – is a testament to the unity and commitment of the group.

“That’s been something – particularly within the midfield – that has turned over, talking to (assistant coach) Alf Della Monica, and a few of the girls in there, that they’ve seen new players in every week,” Garing said.

“And to get the ball fed from different players and adjust (is fantastic), but I think that ‘the Geelong Way’ being throughout both of our sides and knowing the way that we want to move the ball, that’s been consistent, but it’s certainly something that I think is a credit to the girls.

“They’re a great group of people and girls, and the relationships they’ve formed – it’s a really strong connect within the group.

“They’ve welcomed in all the AFLW girls who have come in and out throughout the season, and I’ve certainly felt that. The things they’re doing to try to connect the group and help the rest of the group get to know us, has been awesome.”

Garing said there was a great deal of pride in how the VFLW Cats were conducting themselves on the field, where they have won their past seven matches in a row, to sit 9-2 for the season with a healthy percentage of 207.29.

“I think that the AFLW girls are loving the way in which the girls are wearing the Hoops, and it’s a privilege to come alongside them and to join in what they’ve developed,” she said.

“We’re really excited to see all the girls that are putting themselves up for contention in the draft upcoming.

“We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to help develop these girls form our region – hopefully it’s in the Hoops, but anywhere (they get the chance to play).

“That’s something that’s really exciting for us, that we’re seeing great footballers that are playing in the VFLW Hoops, and hopefully they’re continuing to play with us in the future at a higher level, or that they’re getting the development to play at the league and level they want to play.”