The VFLW Cats travelled up the highway and fought hard against the Port Melbourne Borough on Saturday afternoon, battling wet conditions that limited scoring opportunities but ultimately falling to a 57 point loss at ETU Stadium.
Geelong applied a lot of pressure onto Port Melbourne, leading the tackle count (+15) and disrupting their momentum in the third quarter, but a late string of goals left the Cats with too big a deficit to overcome.
Vice-captain Abby Favell put together another great performance this afternoon collecting 17 disposals, 10 tackles, and three clearances to continue her remarkable run this season.
Geelong had plenty of impressive performances across the ground including Mekah Morrissy (20 disposals, seven intercepts), Elise Cook (20 disposals, three tackles) and captain Mel Staunton (nine tackles, five inside 50’s) who worked tirelessly in their attempt to close the margin.
Geelong brought plenty of forward pressure in the opening quarter, as both Poppy Schaap and Mekah Morrissy worked the ball toward the Cats attacking end.
Opportunities for inside 50 entries were limited by the wet conditions, but Port Melbourne managed to turn the game in their favour, kicking four goals to leave the Cats trailing by 24 points at quarter time.
Geelong held a steady composure in the second term, with some strong defensive efforts from Abby Favell who led the game with eight tackles, creating stoppages that stifled the Borough’s efforts.
Molly Walton, Kelsea Gray and Ruby Dale were an effective trio in the backline, collecting an impressive four intercept possessions each and holding Port Melbourne to two majors, but this left the Cats 40 points adrift at the end of the first half.
Geelong returned from the main break with much more aggression, not allowing the Borough to kick a single goal throughout the entirety of the third quarter.
The Cats found better success pushing the ball into their forward half, with Mel Staunton and Zoe Cowan helping the squad maintain possession inside 50.
Unfortunately Geelong were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard, leaving them with a 38 point deficit to overcome as they headed into the final term.
Entering the fourth quarter, Hayley Peck performed strongly in the ruck and gave her team great chances out of stoppages, with 21 hitouts and five clearances as Geelong made their final push.
The Cats fought hard but were met with three unanswered goals from Port Melbourne, Geelong falling to a 57 point loss at the end of the match.
2025 VFLW Season - Round 5
PORT MELBOURNE 4.1 6.5 6.6 9.7 (64)
GEELONG CATS 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.4 (4)
GOALS
Port Melbourne: O'Keefe, Alomes 3, Seton, Robson, Hart 1
Geelong Cats: Nil
DISPOSALS
Port Melbourne: Caruso 23, Mifsud, Caffry 17, Seton 15
Geelong Cats: Morrissy, Cook 20, Favell 17, Peck 16
@ ETU Stadium, Melbourne - Wurundjeri
