Geelong has slipped to its second straight defeat to start the 2025 AFLW season, falling to Adelaide by 38 points at Thomas Farms Oval on Sunday afternoon.
In a match that played out in eerily similar fashion to Round 1, the Cats dominated proceedings for the best part of three quarters but were overrun by a blistering final term from the Crows, Geelong unable to find an answer as Adelaide piled on seven consecutive goals to finish the match.
It was the usual suspects who worked hard all day for Geelong, Georgie Prespakis (30 disposals, nine clearances) and Nina Morrison (24 disposals) did everything they could to inspire their side, while Becky Webster (27 disposals, eight intercept possessions) provided plenty of run and carry off half back.
Aishling Moloney submitted yet another goal of the year contender and was the big threat up forward for the Cats, while Julia Crockett-Grills (19 disposals) and Mikayla Bowen (18 disposals) both continued their strong starts to the year.
The importance of starting well on the road can not be overstated and that is exactly what the Cats did, Aishling Moloney kicking two goals to help Geelong build a seven-point lead at quarter time.
Nina Morrison and Becky Webster were brilliant early, collecting 21 disposals between them in the first term, the Cats controlling general play and doubling the Crows' inside 50 count (12-6).
Momentum continued to roll Geelong's way in the second quarter with Jackie Parry the lone goalkicker, the Cats' lead extending to 11-points heading into half time.
Geelong were dominant right across the ground and led nearly every major statistic including disposals (+24), inside 50's (+9), clearances and contested possessions.
Star on-ballers Amy McDonald and Georgie Prespakis started to have a real impact winning six clearances between them, while Webster and Claudia Gunjaca were important down back picking off four intercept possessions each.
The Cats continued to generate plenty of opportunities after the main break, recording five shots on goal from their first six inside 50 entries, but they were only able to kick four behinds which kept the door ajar for the Crows.
Facing a quality outfit like Adelaide, it was always likely the momentum would shift at some stage and that is exactly what happened, with the Crows kicking two goals to trim Geelong's lead to just two points at three-quarter time.
With the match looking like it was set-up for a grandstand finish in the final term, the game was flipped on its head in an instant.
Adelaide piled on seven unanswered goals in just 15 minutes of play to stun the Cats, Geelong's lead evaporating and they eventually fell by 38 points at Thomas Farms Oval.
2025 AFLW Season - Round 2
ADELAIDE 1.1 1.4 3.5 10.5 (65)
GEELONG 2.2 3.3 3.7 3.9 (27)
GOALS
Adelaide: Randall 3, Jones, Ponter, Gould 2, Kustermann 1
Geelong: Moloney 2, Parry 1
BEST
Adelaide: Marinoff, Randall, Jones, N.Kelly, Newman, Ponter, J.Allan
Geelong: Prespakis, Webster, Morrison, Moloney, A.McDonald, Crockett-Grills
DISPOSALS
Adelaide: Marinoff 30, Newman 18, Kelly 17, Hatchard, Ponter, Jones 15
Geelong: Prespakis 30, Webster 27, Morrison 24, McDonald 20, Crockett-Grills 19
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Geelong: Nil
Crowd: TBC @ Thomas Farms Stadium
