Geelong is preparing to take on reigning premier Brisbane in Maroochydore on Saturday as the Cats strive to convert their encouraging performances into a win.
In what will be their first interstate trip of AFLW Season 6, the Cats will be looking to make the most of their opportunities against the Lions and get their season on a winning track.
They have shown in the first three weeks they can bring the pressure and make the opposition accountable, with the missing piece in the puzzle being the ability to capitalise on their hard word to win the ball and send it forward.
After being comprehensively beaten in their season-opener against fellow 2021 grand finalist Adelaide and having to reschedule their Round 2 encounter after a significant number of players had to enter the AFL's health and safety protocols, the Lions bounced back in Round 3.
They led from start to finish against Carlton, with Jesse Wardlaw, Jess Wuetschner and Greta Bodey each kicking two goals in the 35-point win.
The Cats are coming off another encouraging display against Collingwood, where they got within four points in the final term before the Magpies kicked the last goal to finish 11 points clear.
The details
Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats
Saturday, 29 January 2022 at 4.10pm (5.10pm AEDT)
Maroochydore MultiSports Complex, QLD
Gubbi Gubbi Country
Last time they met
Geelong 3.2 (20) def. by Brisbane 6.3 (39) at GMHBA Stadium, Round 2, 2020
The Cats made a solid start against the Lions in 2020, leading by 11 points at half-time, but couldn't quell the Lions' second-half surge.
Olivia Purcell (2) and Danielle Higgins were the Cats' goalkickers, but the team was held to just one behind in the second half as Brisbane asserted its dominance around stoppages (10-3 in the third term) and won the inside 50 count 39-14 for the match.
Nina Morrison and Millie Brown collected 18 disposals and four tackles apiece for the Cats, while Purcell, Becky Webster and Amy McDonald were also among the best for the Cats.
Pressure Gauge
Pressure has been front and centre of Geelong's improvement in 2022. The Cats are averaging 61 tackles a game, including 10 inside 50, and have also been impressing with their intercepts and spoils.
Maddy McMahon has had a brilliant opening three rounds in defence, while Amy McDonald has backed up her brilliant form from last season.
The Cats' reigning best and fairest has averaged 10.7 tackles a game to go with her 20.3 disposal average, and laid a career-high 14 tackles against the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos in Round 1.
Tackling and pressure will be an area where the Cats (61 tackles on average) will look to take it up to Brisbane (52), who have won more uncontested footy in their opening two games.
Taking the Game On
The Cats' willingness to take the game on as they look to manufacture offense opportunities was epitomised by a couple of dashing runs from Sophie Van De Heuvel against the Magpies.
The 21-year-old's line-breaking dashes gave the Cats a bit of spark, and was a nice complement to the gritty defensive work the team has been doing.
One dash late in the first quarter was a particular highlight, with Van De Heuvel running onto a handball from Darcy Moloney at half-back, taking three bounces and side-stepping a Collingwood opponent as she ran up the wing, and hitting up Jordi Ivey with a pinpoint perfect pass, which resulted in a goal.
Saturday will mark Van De Heuvel's 25th game of AFLW; it also marks 25 club games for captain Meghan McDonald, Phoebe McWilliams and Jordi Ivey.
Key Points
1. Converting chances to goals
The Cats have been improving their forward 50 differential each week. Against the Kangaroos in Round 1, they were -6. Against Carlton in Round 2, they were -5. And against Collingwood in Round 3, the Cats won the inside 50 count by 6. They've also improved their ability to lock the ball up forward for longer.
Despite being around the mark, the challenge has then been converting that time up forward into scoring opportunities and, importantly, goals.
The Cats had two more scoring shots against the Kangaroos, but a return of 2.6 saw them fall eight points short. Returns of 2.5 and 3.6 in the subsequent weeks has seen the Cats challenge on the scoreboard, but fall short of teams who have better made their chances count.
The Cats will have their work cut out for them against the Lions, who have averaged a whopping 40 inside 50s across their opening two games, and registered 50 against Carlton on Tuesday, when they kicked 9.9 (63).
2. Young Cats stepping up
Geelong's brigade of young footballers are making their presence felt. Georgie Prespakis has been drawing attention for her work in the midfield, earning a Rising Star nomination in Round 1, and going head-to-head with experienced Magpies star Jaimee Lambert in Round 3.
Fellow 2021 draftee Zali Friswell and second-year Cat Darcy Moloney brought the pressure and played a role in the Cats' transition play against the Magpies.
Another first year Cat in Gabbi Featherston has made an impact in her first two weeks of AFLW, with classy defensive play, and great spoils and marks a highlight of her game.
How to Watch
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster here.
For those wanting to follow along at home, the game will be broadcast live on Foxtel, and can be streamed through Kayo, womens.afl or the AFL Women’s and AFL Live Official Apps.
Follow @catswomens on Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the game.
