Geelong has fallen short in a nail-biting clash with Hawthorn on Thursday night, their three game win streak coming to an end with a seven point defeat at GMHBA Stadium.
A strong start saw the Cats build a strong lead early, holding a healthy 16 point advantage midway through the third quarter but they were unable to hold on, Hawthorn kicking the final four goals of the game to secure the four points.
Georgie Prespakis (25 disposals, 10 tackles) did everything she could to inspire the team, Amy McDonald (24 disposals, eight intercept possessions) found plenty of the footy, while Nina Morrison (21 disposals) and Aishling Moloney (13 disposals, two goals) fought hard all night.
The defeat leaves Geelong with a 3-4 record through the opening seven games of the season, needing a strong five weeks from here to contend for a spot in the top eight.
After a slow start in the opening term, Erica Fowler got the Cats rolling with a brilliant soccer finish and that was quickly followed by another brilliant goal from Aishling Moloney, giving Geelong a five point lead at quarter time.
The Cats conversion rate was impressive, making the most of their limited opportunities to snatch the lead back, led by a hot start from captain Amy McDonald who collected nine disposals.
The second quarter played out in a similar fashion to the first, Hawthorn kicked the opening goal before Moloney and Jackie Parry hit back later in the term, Geelong extending their lead to 10 points at half time.
Georgie Prespakis was at her scintillating best collecting 15 disposals and four score involvements up to the main break, while Zali Friswell was instrumental with 10 disposals and five intercept possessions.
Jackie Parry gave the Cats a dream start right after the main break, streaming into an open goal and kicking her second to push Geelong's lead out to a game-high 16 points.
But just when it looked like Geelong were in full control, Hawthorn flipped the script with two goals of their own to cut the margin back to four points at the final break.
The Hawks continued their momentum into the last quarter, kicking the opening goal of the term in less than a minute to snatch the lead back.
Geelong had their chances but could not find the all important goal, Hawthorn landing the final blow late to seal the result.
2025 AFLW Season - Round 7
GEELONG CATS 2.1 4.2 5.2 5.5 (35)
HAWTHORN 1.2 2.4 4.4 6.6 (42)
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Parry, Moloney 2, Fowler 1
Hawthorn: McDonagh 2, Williamson, Vukic, Bodey, Stratton 1
BEST
Geelong: Prespakis, McDonald, Moloney, Webster, Morrison
Hawthorn: West, Fleming, Wales, Bates, Lucas-Rodd, McDonagh
INJURIES
Geelong: Darby (ankle), Gunjaca (throat)
Hawthorn: Nil
Crowd: 3,146 at GMHBA Stadium
