Geelong's AFLW are setting themselves for a blockbuster clash at GMHBA Stadium, as they prepare to do battle with Hawthorn on Thursday night.
The Cats enter the game on a three game winning streak, but it is a tough challenge this week against a Hawks outfit that has won five of their first six games this season.
While they are not the highest scoring team in the AFL, Hawthorn boast a rock solid defence that has been hard to score against this year, something the Cats will need to find ways to combat on Thursday.
Check out the top things to watch on Thursday night, proudly presented by Deakin University.
Ladder
Geelong Cats: 8th (3-3)
Hawthorn: 3rd (5-1)
Points For
Geelong Cats: 255
Hawthorn: 183
Points Against
Geelong Cats: 262
Hawthorn: 156
Recent History - Geelong v Hawthorn
Geelong and Hawthorn have only met twice in the history of the AFLW, but both games have been thoroughly entertaining at GMHBA Stadium.
The most recent clash happened midway through the 2024 season, with the two sides looking damaging in front of goal in one of the highest scoring games in the competition's history.
Aishling Moloney was dangerous and kicked three goals, Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis dominated through the midfield, but the Cats fell narrowly short in a brilliant match.
| GAME | HOME | AWAY | VENUE |
| 2024 - Round 5 | Geelong 9.7 (61) | Hawthorn 12.7 (79) | GMHBA Stadium |
| 2023 - Round 10 | Geelong 9.6 (60) | Hawthorn 3.2 (20) | GMHBA Stadium |
Deakin Performance Stat of the Week - Locking the Ball Inside 50
As previously mentioned, Hawthorn are not an overly high scoring team averaging just over 30 points per game, by far the lowest average of any team currently in the top eight.
But where they do excel is their defence, conceding an average of 26 points per game which is the third best of any team in the AFLW.
A big part of this is Hawthorn's ability to repel the ball out of their defensive 50. The Hawks have an 88.6 Rebound 50 rate, tracking the percentage of times they rebound the ball out of their 50 after an opposition's inside 50 entry, which is by far the best rate of any team in the competition.
2025 AFLW Rebound 50 Rates
| AFLW Rank | Team | Rate |
| 1 | Hawthorn | 88.6 |
| 2 | North Melbourne | 86.8 |
| 3 | Melbourne | 85.8 |
| 4 | Adelaide | 84.2 |
| 18 | Geelong | 74.6 |
| AFLW Average | 80.5 |
Hawthorn Player to Watch - Tilly Lucas-Rodd
Speaking of defence, the leader in Hawthorn's backline is experienced defender, Tilly Lucas-Rodd.
Lucas-Rodd is averaging a team-high 23.5 disposals in 2025, also going at a very impressive 66.7% disposal efficiency.
The experienced defender also averages six intercept possessions and 3.8 marks per game, Geelong will need to find a way to get the footy out of her hands.
Where Geelong Can Improve - Clearances
The Cats have looked much more damaging on the outside in recent weeks, but there is room for improvement around stoppages as they head into a big battle on Thursday night.
Despite winning last week, Geelong were beaten in the clearance battle (25-19), the second time in three weeks they have lost this statistic.
The Cats sit ninth in the AFLW for clearances per game in 2025 (24.0), but it will be crucial to control this area on Thursday night against the Hawks.
