Geelong has found a healthy balance within their midfield this year, introducing a blend of offense and defence which has driven the team to greater heights so far in 2025. 

The attacking side is driven by the likes of Bailey Smith and Max Holmes, who use their elite running capacity and speed to break away from stoppages, helping to set up plenty of the Cats attacking forays. 

But perhaps the most important factor is the ability to shutdown opposition on-ballers, with the AFL's number one tackler, Tom Atkins leading the way defensively for Geelong. 

Atkins has joined the Cats AFLW team in a coaching capacity this year and star midfielder, Nina Morrison said she is gaining plenty of knowledge from Atkins that she has been able to implement in her own game. 

51:00

To The Final Bell Round 12 | Nina Morrison Joins The Show!

After another thrilling Cats win, Lingy and Meg break down the Bulldogs game and are joined by reigning AFLW Best and Fairest Nina Morrison! Proudly Presented by GMHBA.

"For me over the last couple of years, I have been playing more predominantly in that inside midfielder role," Morrison said on this week's episode of 'To the Final Bell.'

"Continuing to develop my craft in that space is how I want to continue to develop my game.

"We have got Tom [Atkins] who has come in this year, he one of our midfield coaches so to have him as a resource is incredible. He is having another great season so far, so to be able to draw experience from him and learn from him and the way he goes about it, I would like to think that we play a similar style of role.

"To have him as a resource has been awesome, then collectively as a group we are looking to make gains this year."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 12: Nina Morrison of the Cats fends off Tessa Lavey of the Tigers during the 2024 AFLW Round 07 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at Swinburne Centre on October 12, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Morrison pieced together a sensational 2024 AFLW campaign to win Geelong's Best and Fairest award, ranking first at the club for disposals, tackles and goal assists, while also sitting in the top three players for clearances and score involvements. 

While the defensive aspect is clearly an important part of her game, Morrison is looking to develop her attacking flair as she looks to develop her game even further heading into an exciting 2025 season. 

With plenty of dynamic on-ballers dominating for Geelong's AFL team so far this year, Morrison said she has been watching the likes of Bailey Smith and Max Holmes very closely to help with her own progression. 

"If you have got teams where you are able to take the ball forward from stoppage, that always helps as well," Morrison said. 

"If you are able to get midfielders that are then involved in attack, you have got players like Bailey [Smith] who have come into the team and it has been so awesome to watch him this year.

"I think we can take a lot of tips from his game in terms of the way that you can go fast from mark situations, he is a great example of one that gets the ball and takes the game on.

"If you are able to play on off the mark and let the game come to you to drive it off the line, players like Bailey and Max [Holmes] have that running ability and power from stoppages, it adds another dimension that helps you break the game open a bit more."