The VFLW Bendigo Bank Cats have fallen to Collingwood by just one goal in their Qualifying Final at the Holden Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Geelong had momentum for much of the second half and threatened to steal a come-from-behind victory, but the Pies held on in the 2.8 (20) to 4.2 (26) defeat.

The Cats will now play in an elimination Semi Final next weekend.

Olivia Fuller had another standout game for Geelong in the ruck, also showing her mobility around the ground to lead all players in disposals with 22.

Darcy Moloney kicked the first goal in the opening minute of the game to hand the Cats the perfect start. Collingwood quickly responded, however, to establish an eight-point lead at quarter-time.

Geelong continued to apply pressure in the second quarter but couldn’t quite capitalise in front of goals, managing four behinds for the term as the Pies extended their lead to 10 points at the main break.

The Cats continued to work hard in the third quarter and were rewarded for effort, as Rene Caris converted in front of goals. Collingwood again managed a quick goal in response, with the two sides locked in an arm wrestle.

Geelong gained momentum in the final term and kept the ball locked in their forward half for much of the quarter, narrowing the margin to six points with three minutes remaining, but Collingwood managed to hold on in the nail-biting contest.

Geelong VFLW Coach Andrew Bruce praised his side’s effort despite the result, and said that there is still room for improvement.

“I just thought that our girls competed so hard and I thought that we had the ball in our forward half for probably sixty to seventy percent of the time. We just couldn’t quite execute when we needed to score,” Bruce said.

“There were so many pleasing things out of the game. Our attack around the contest was equal to last week (in the Round 14 loss to Collingwood), but I thought our ball usage after the contest was better which we asked it to be.

“We’ve still got a way to go to get that right, but we gave ourselves opportunities to score.”

Olivia Fuller played a standout game in the ruck, while Maddy Keryk and Theresia Meissner also impressed in defence.

“Liv was outstanding, two weeks in a row probably best on ground for me,” Bruce said.

“She rucked out the last quarter without change and was still jumping over her opponent, she probably won our clearances, so her effort throughout the game was absolutely outstanding.

“Maddy Keryk down back intercepted really well and used the footy very well out of defence, and Theresia Meissner also got back to her better football which is really great.”

Bruce said that the team will be confident heading in to next week’s Semi Final.

“It didn’t go our way (today) but now we look forward to our opponent, whoever that may be,” Bruce said.

“We’ll prepare really well with a really positive attitude and understanding that our best football is as good as anybody’s that we’re playing against.”

The fixture for Geelong’s Semi Final will be confirmed early this week.

VFL Women’s Qualifying Final

Geelong Cats 2.8 (20) def by Collingwood 4.2 (26)

Goals: Caris, Moloney

Best: Fuller, Keryk, Webster, Meissner, Boyd, Smith

Injuries: Nil

At the Holden Centre