Match Preview 

Geelong head to Victoria Park this Sunday for a pivotal round eight clash with Collingwood, as the Cats look to solidify their position in the top eight with just three games to go. 

Coming off a strong win against Fremantle last weekend, the Cats have moved into sixth spot on the ladder with four wins on the season while maintaining a strong percentage. 

Geelong remain in an intriguing situation with just one win separating them and the top four, but they also sit on the same number of wins as St Kilda, who are currently occupying 10th place on the ladder. 

Collingwood is one of the teams in the logjam at four wins, sitting in eighth spot currently after three consecutive wins. 

The Magpies are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league averaging just 34 points per game, but hold a stellar defence which is statistically one of the best in the AFLW. 

This game will be crucial in the run home to the finals, with the Cats needing a win to remain ahead of the eight ball before the penultimate week of the season. 

Last Time They Met 

Geelong last faced Collingwood in season seven of the AFLW competition, falling just four points short in a round three nailbiter at GMHBA Stadium. 

As she does in most weeks, Amy McDonald topped the stats sheet with 19 disposals and seven tackles, while Rebecca Webster amassed 19 of her own through the midfield. 

Georgie Prespakis combined with McDonald for 28 contested possessions in the clash, laying nine tackles in a tough encounter against the Magpies. 

The Cats were dominant down back for large portions of the contest, holding Collingwood goalless in the first half but were unable to find an effective scoring avenue themselves. 

With scores locked at the final change, the Magpies nudged ahead in the final term and hung on for the four points. 

The Stat that Matters – Disposals 

Put simply; if the Cats control the disposal count, they win the game. 

In all four of their wins so far this season, Geelong have amassed more disposals than their opposition but they have also been beaten in this statistic in their three losses. 

In the four wins the Cats average 273 disposals per game, conceding an average of 212 to the opposition for a +61 disposal difference in each of their wins. 

In comparison during their three losses, the Cats have averaged just 235 disposals per game which is nearly 40 possessions less than their wins this season. 

The Cats concede 264 disposals per game in their three losses, nearly 50 possessions more than in their victories and a -29 possession difference.

The huge differential shows that for Geelong to play a game on their terms, they need to get their hands on the footy more and control possession to set them up as they move down the ground. 

Players to Watch

1.    Darcy Moloney 

Darcy Moloney has quietly become one of the Cats most important players this season, averaging 17 disposals and five tackles per game across the 2023 campaign.

Spending more time through the midfield in her new role, the 20 year old has become a valuable asset while still pushing forward to impact the scoreboard at times. 

Moloney was one of the Cats best players in their preseason game against Collingwood, so watch for the versatile on-baller to replicate that performance this weekend. 

2.    Aishling Moloney 

The second Moloney to keep an eye on this week is Irish recruit Aishling, who has been a revelation up forward throughout her first season in the AFLW competition. 

The athletic tall forward creates plenty of opportunities in front of goal, highlighted by her three goal performance against Melbourne in round five. 

The Cats will need to find effective avenues to goal against a stingy Collingwood defence this weekend, so watch for Aishling to get dangerous ahead of the football on Sunday. 

Quote of the Week 

"Collingwood are building in their season, obviously we have seen them take down some big oppositions like Brisbane a couple of weeks ago, it will provide us another good challenge this weekend. 

Again we focus on ourselves, and we look forward to preparing well for that during training this week. 

It will be a really special weekend with the upcoming milestones too, we are looking forward to this game. 

We sit equal on the ladder currently, we know the final standings will be really tight."

Renee Garing 

‘Yeah the Girls!’ Episode Eight

Milestones

Julia Crockett-Grills – 50 AFLW Games

Meg McDonald – 50 AFLW Games for Geelong

Julia Crockett-Grills and Meghan McDonald will become the first players to play 50 club matches at Geelong in their AFLW history.