Geelong Cats has kept its season alive with a 27-point win over GWS Giants on Saturday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats kicked five goals to one in the final quarter to break away from the Giants, eventually winning 11.6 (72) to 6.9 (45) in front of a crowd of 2,509.

Saturday’s win was Geelong’s first victory at home this season and the first time in AFLW history that the Cats have beaten the Giants.

Georgie Prespakis was instrumental in the win, kicking two goals and having 23 disposals in her 50th game, as was forward Chantal Mason who kicked three goals, the first three goals of her career.

For the Giants, Tarni Evans was a stand-out up forward booting three of her own, whilst Zarlie Goldsworthy finished the match with 27 disposals and a goal.

The Cats dominated territory to begin, their deep entries providing their forwards with opportunities, but they couldn’t capitalise in front of goal.

Eventually, Prespakis took it upon herself to kick the game’s first in her milestone match. 

The Prespakis goal was quickly followed by a second to Irish sensation Aishling Moloney, taking advantage of a loose ball in the goalsquare, gathering and snapping from close range.

The Giants eventually steadied and started to gain possession, a long-range, left-foot snap from Tarni Evans getting the visitors on the board.

But a goal to mid-forward Julia Crockett-Grills, who came back in the side this week following a hamstring injury, extended Geelong’s lead to 14 points at quarter-time.

GWS came out after the first break and kicked a hat-trick of goals to start the term, the best coming through Evans who slotted a set shot 35m out from the boundary line.

The goals put the Giants in front for the first time, but it was short-lived when utility Rachel Kearns kicked her first just before half-time to give Geelong back the lead.

Cats ruck Caitie Tipping and Erica Fowler both came from the ground hobbling during the third quarter, but they too returned in the fourth.

Geelong has a poor record in fourth quarters this season, but they flipped that trend on its head when they kicked three goals in three minutes to open the final term. 

The scoring spree gave the Cats some breathing space, and they didn’t panic when Goldsworthy kicked one to bring the margin back.

A second goal to Prespakis and a third to Mason sealed the game, much to the delight of the predominantly Geelong crowd.

Up next

After three consecutive home games, Geelong flies across the country to play West Coast on Friday night, whilst the Giants return home to play Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

GEELONG           3.3    4.5   6.6   11.6  (72)
GWS GIANTS     1.1    4.3   5.6     6.9 (45)

GOALS
Geelong: Mason 3, Prespakis 2, Moloney 2, Crockett-Grills, Kenny, Kearns, Bowen
GWS Giants: Evans 3, O’Dowd, Mowbray, Goldsworthy

BEST 
Geelong: Prespakis, Bowen, Crockett-Grills, McDonald, Kenny
GWS Giants: Goldsworthy, Beeson, Evans, Srhoj, Davies

INJURIES

Geelong: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2,509 at GMHBA Stadium