The Cats are back at GMHBA Stadium under lights on a Friday night for the Djilang Game against Richmond in the AFLW’s inaugural Indigenous Round.
Bar a horror third quarter last week, the Cats were right in the contest against St Kilda and will be keen to make amends when they take on the winless Tigers.
The Details
Geelong v Richmond
Friday, 26 February at 7.10pm AEDT
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. Get them here.
Last Time They Met
Geelong 10.7 (67) def. Richmond 7.3 (45) at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Rd 4 2020
It was the game that turned the season for the Cats. After a winless start to the 2020 season, the Cats turned it on against the Tigers, with a blistering six-goal second quarter setting up the win.
There was an even spread of contributors, with Rocky Cranston and Georgia Clarke both kicking two goals, while Olivia Purcell, Phoebe McWilliams, Meg McDonald and Amy McDonald were also among the best.
The 10.7 scoreline was, and still is, the Cats’ highest total in the NAB AFL Women’s competition, and equal-eighth highest overall across the competition since its inception.
Cats to Keep Your Eye On
Denby Taylor has shown plenty of good signs over the opening month of the season. Her line-breaking ability and composure with the ball could be a big asset for the Cats. Together with Sophie Van de Heuvel – who was among the best against St Kilda – her outside run will be handy.
Phoebe McWilliams looks ready to tear a game apart. Her fearless ability to put her body on the line for a marking contest has been a highlight in recent weeks, and now that she’s started ticking over goals on the scoreboard in the past fortnight, things are starting to fall into place. Between her and Maddie Boyd, the Cats have a couple of strong marks ready to make their mark.
The Key Points
1) The missing piece in the puzzle: there could be no doubting the Cats’ efforts and pressure to date, but the key part of their game yet to click is the scoreboard. The Cats have been around the mark for forward 50 entries most weeks, but have struggled to convert those entries into scores on the board. Against the Saints, they had seven scoring shots from 27 inside 50s, and will be hoping for better efficiency up forward this week.
2) Breaking the duck: while the Cats are searching for their first win of the season, the Tigers are searching for their first since they entered the AFLW at the beginning of 2020. There will be plenty of passion in the contest as both teams search for the circuit-breaker to turn their fortunes around.
3) The Djilang way: beyond the four points on offer, the match will be a significant one as it marks the start of the AFLW’s inaugural Indigenous Round, celebrating the culture and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander communities to our great game. All teams across the competition will be wearing special guernseys to commemorate the round. Geelong’s has been designed by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles. You can read the story behind the incredible guernsey here.
How to Watch
If you wish to attend the game, you must pre-purchase a ticket. Tickets are just $10 for adults/concession, while anyone under 18 years of age can enter free (but still must redeem a ticket). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
In 2021, Geelong Cats AFLW Members get free admission to home games at GMHBA Stadium. Members can redeem their free ticket through Ticketmaster.
If you’re unable to make the game but still want to watch, it will be shown on subscription TV through Fox Footy, can be streamed on Kayo with a subscription, and will also be streamed on womens.afl and the official AFLW App.
It will also be broadcast on ABC Radio.
Follow the @catswomens on Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the game.
