Excitement is building around the Cattery in anticipation for Saturday's AFLW season opener, as spearhead forward Chloe Scheer prepares to make her long-awaited return, in what will also be her 50th career game. 

Geelong's spearhead forward has battled through two injury plagued seasons, with her last appearance coming in the 2023 Preliminary Final, but will make her return after being selected in the Cats team for their clash with North Melbourne. 

One of the most persistent and resilient players the game has ever seen, Scheer's AFLW journey commenced in 2018 when she was selected by Adelaide with pick 37 in the National Draft. 

Debuting right away in 2019, her incredible talent was on display immediately and it resulted in a Rising Star nomination in Round 5, before going on to feature in the Crows' premiership at the end of 2019. 

What was clearly evident was Scheer's remarkable aerial prowess and her goal sense, which continued into her second season with the Crows in 2021, highlighted by a three-goal haul against the Western Bulldogs. 

The potential for a move opened up at the end of 2021, however, and it was one the gun forward was keen to capitalise on, requesting a trade to Geelong at the conclusion of 2021. 

Donning the blue and white Hoops for the first time in 2022, Scheer wasted no time making her presence felt and put together an impressive campaign, a strong introduction to the Cats faithful. 

But 2022 Season 7 would prove to be the defining moment in her career, as Scheer put together a brilliant string of games to earn selection at full forward in the AFLW All Australian team. 

A remarkable stretch to close out the season saw the spearhead kick 13 goals in a six game stretch, including a four-goal haul against Sydney and bags of three against Essendon and St Kilda. 

To cap off the campaign, Scheer also took out the AFLW Mark of the Year award, soaring high over a pack to take a stellar grab against North Melbourne in Round 4. 

The star Cat would continue to go from strength-to-strength, opening the 2023 season in sensational form with a career-high five-goal haul in Round 2 against the Swans. 

She would go on to kick 18 goals across the regular season, helping to lead Geelong to a Finals berth before suffering an unfortunate injury in the Cats' Elimination Final victory over Essendon. 

But despite the injury, Scheer would play through the pain and show her true grit and determination, making her return for Geelong's Preliminary Final against Brisbane. 

It has been a tough stretch since then for Scheer, who has not played a game since that clash with the Lions, but that will all be put in the rearview mirror as the star forward makes her return on Saturday afternoon. 

Scheer has been named in Geelong's team for their season opener against North Melbourne, selected alongside a trio of AFLW debutants in Evie Cowcher, Priya Bowering and Emma Murray, while Nicola Stevens will also make her club debut. 

The Cats will kick off their AFLW season with a historic double-header, as they head to Marvel Stadium to take on the Kangaroos on Saturday afternoon. 

The AFLW match will commence at 1.00pm AEST, before the AFL teams do battle from 3.45pm.