Claudia Gunjaca was a shining light for Geelong in round three, standing tall down back as the Cats narrowly fell short in a spirited performance against North Melbourne.

The key defender amassed a career high 19 disposals on Friday night, pulling down seven marks and numerous intercept possessions as the 26 year old elevates her game to a new level in 2023.

Gunjaca was opposed to North Melbourne spearhead, Tahlia Randall for much of the night, holding her to just six disposals and one goal in an impressive lockdown display.

The Cats back six were immense all night against a strong opposition, holding the Kangaroos goalless in the first half and conceding just four goals for the game.

Gunjaca said that there were plenty of positives to take from the game, with the Cats continui

ng to develop their own brand of football across the early part of the season.

"Dan's points in this game were to be combative and connected during this game and I think we were across all lines,” Gunjaca told Cats media. 

“We just lost our way through the middle of the game, but there's another seven weeks to go so we just continue to move forward.

Our first quarter was really quite good, but we learned that we have to take control for longer periods of the game. 

North Melbourne are a great side and props to them,  but we are contenders as well, and we will continue to fight for the rest of this season to show we're right up with the best of them."

Playing on their home ground for the second time this season, the Cats were benefitted by a loud Geelong crowd that helped spur on the team against North Melbourne.

Gunjaca complimented the Cats faithful for their support last Friday night, encouraging fans to get along to Geelong’s next home game in round five.

"We love playing at GMHBA Stadium,” Gunjaca said. 

"We always urge everyone to come along, it really gets us going and pumps us up because it sounds incredible when you're out on the field."