Geelong bounced back from their Round 1 loss to claim their first win of the season, grinding out a tough victory over Essendon in a contested battle at Windy Hill.
The Cats came out fighting at Windy Hill in perfect conditions with blue skies and little wind, looking to secure their first win of the season.
The opening quarter was a tight contest with neither team able to find free-flowing footy.
Both sides struggled to apply scoreboard pressure, with Geelong spending lots of time in their forward 50 but unable to convert their opportunities into goals.
The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle between the sides. After a goalless opening quarter, Faith Qoon finally got Geelong on the board with a major, giving the Cats the lead.
Bindi Crabtree took charge early in the quarter, leading the way with 12 disposals and providing important drive through the midfield.
In a tight contest, the Cats’ defensive effort was strong, with tackles 40 to 31 helping keep Essendon in their own half.
Disposals remained tightly matched at 127 for Essendon and 122 for Geelong, while the Cats held a slight advantage in marks with 32 to 29.
The pressure ramped up early in the third quarter as the Cats looked to push their advantage.
Tyla Crabtree provided a crucial highlight, converting a snap from 30 metres to extend Geelong’s lead to a 9-point buffer. The Cats continued to build on that momentum when Cavalle Boxer showed quick feet off the ground, executing a soccer kick to add a third major late in the quarter and push the lead out to 15 points, giving crucial breathing room in a low-scoring affair.
The Cats’ midfield was dominant through the third quarter, with Mekah Morrissy and Brooke Borchard taking control of the clearances. Combined, they won eight clearances for the game by the end of three quarters, providing the platform for Geelong’s forwards.
Coming into the final quarter with a 15-point buffer, Geelong showed composure as Essendon searched for a way back into the contest.
Crabtree was solid in defence, taking multiple marks across the backline to keep the Bombers out of their forward 50 and maintain control of the game.
Steph O’Kane delivered the dagger at the nine-minute mark of the fourth quarter, kicking the goal of the day to all but seal the result.
Despite some desperate efforts from Essendon late in the game with a few missed opportunities, the Cats stayed composed and strong to secure their first win of the season.
Mekah Morrissy was sensational all day, filling the stat sheet with 23 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances, absolutely dominating in the middle and laying the foundation for the Cats’ midfield control.
It was a breakout display that will give the team confidence as they build through the season.
2026 VFLW Season - Round 2
ESSENDON 0.3 0.6 0.8 0.12 (12)
GEELONG 0.0 1.1 3.5 4.8 (32)
GOALS
Geelong: Qoon, O'Kane, Crabtree, Boxer 1
