After a few difficult seasons, Geelong's VFLW team are making a serious resurgence and not only are they winning matches, but they are putting the league on notice with their style and versatility in the early portion of 2026. 

Recording another strong victory last weekend over Darebin, the Cats made it back-to-back wins and for the first time in quite a while, they have moved inside the top six and firmly in Finals contention. 

It has been a remarkable turnaround for Geelong, a team that only managed three wins in each of their last two seasons, now holding a 3-3 record through the first six weeks of the season. 

Belief is starting to grow within the group and it starts at the top, under the leadership of head coach Taylah Hassett and captain Mel Staunton once again in 2026. 

Staunton spoke to Cats Media during the week and provided an update on the team's progress, noting that it is remarkable seeing the growth within the group so far this season. 

"We had three practice matches before the season started too, the growth even from the first practice match to the game on the weekend, has been enormous," Staunton told Cats Media. 

"It is super exciting, we still have a long way to go though, so we are just going to keep working hard. 

"We just want to focus on one thing at a time. Even within a game, we always talk about just the 20 minutes.

"It is exciting and we have cracked the top six, it is something that hasn't happened for a while for this team.

"We just want to focus on every game as it comes, then the results will sort themselves out."

Staunton has been a catalyst for Geelong and a barometer of sorts, now into her second year as the Cats' VFLW captain and leading by example with her performances through the midfield. 

Able to find plenty of the footy, the skipper has collected 22 disposals in both of the last two games, but her pressure has also been off the charts, laying a staggering 27 tackles over the past fortnight alone. 

She has helped to inspire her side to back-to-back victories, defeating the Western Bulldogs by a solitary point in Round 5 and following that up with a dominant 18-point victory over Darebin last week, moving inside the top six nearing the midway point of the season. 

Staunton touched on the development of her leadership skills, as she looks to continue building on a strong start to her campaign. 

"It has been nice and look, to be honest, I am just enjoying playing footy and being around this group," Staunton said. 

"It is such a special group this year, and I truly think that we can go all the way. I am just going to keep playing my role, the girls will keep playing theirs and we will keep enjoying it."

Staunton also discussed the impact of Geelong coach, Taylah Hassett in her second season at the helm. 

"I think Taylah is amazing. I think the work that she has done in the off-season too, to implement it throughout the whole group before the season even started has been massive," Staunton said. 

"Our process is very clear, and that is one thing that Taylah wanted to make very clear with all of us as well leading into the season.

"We are all very much on the same page with how we want to play, so it is just a matter of executing on game day."

After some tough tests in recent rounds, Geelong will now enjoy a week off with their bye in Round 7, before returning to action for another major challenge against North Melbourne Werribee next Saturday. 

While momentum has been rolling the Cats way, Staunton said it is still important to have a week off to freshen up and prepare for the second half of the season. 

"It has come at a good time, that is for sure," Staunton said. 

"I think we have had a pretty solid, hard hitting start to the season and then a solid back end of the season coming too.

"I think this bye has come at a perfect time, it is really important for the girls to mentally and physically refresh. We will be ready to go again."