Geelong are off and running in the 2026 AFLW season after a dominant outing on Saturday afternoon, defeating St Kilda by 85 points at GMHBA Stadium to record their first win of the year. 

A first half blitz proved to be the difference for the Cats as they piled on nine of the opening 10 goals in the game, led by a four-goal haul from Jackie Parry in the opening half alone, before doing enough after the main break to continue building their advantage in a terrific performance. 

Georgie Prespakis (34 disposals, 12 score involvements) was unstoppable right throughout the contest, adding an element of intensity and toughness around stoppages but also working hard to have an impact at both ends of the ground, finishing with the most disposals of any player. 

Parry led the way up forward and finished with a career-high six goals, Becky Webster (30 disposals) was outstanding across half back in her 75th AFLW game, while Mikayla Bowen (27 disposals, 11 tackles) and Bryde O'Rourke (17 disposals) were both impactful throughout the evening. 

It was a stalemate early as both sides took some time to work their way into the contest, but Geelong's intensity around the contest ultimately led to the opening two goals of the match through Chantal Mason and Mikayla Bowen. 

Jackie Parry then added a pair of goals in two minutes to finish the opening term, capping off a sensational quarter of football from the Cats and giving them an 18-point lead at the first break. 

The hot start continued for Geelong after quarter time as Aishling Moloney was afforded space inside 50, and she made the most of it kicking her first goal of the season to extend the Cats' lead. 

Geelong continued to capitalise on their dominance and in a very similar fashion to the first term, Parry closed out the second quarter with back-to-back goals to give the home side an incredible 42-point buffer at half time. 

In perhaps the clearest sign yet of the new-look Geelong style under Mick Stinear, the Cats dominated every facet of the game in the opening half, finishing with more disposals (+28), inside 50s (+16), clearances (+3) and contested possessions (+14). 

While there were some big winners in the Hoops early, none made a brighter start than the remarkable Georgie Prespakis who led all-comers with 20 disposals, while also adding four clearances, seven score involvements and four intercept possessions in the first half. 

Mikayla Bowen brought her trademark pressure with six tackles and seven score involvements from her 14 disposals, while Becky Webster in her 75th game was instrumental with 13 disposals to the main break. 

Another Cat who impressed was emerging talent Bryde O'Rourke, having a number of nice moments and looking particularly strong overhead to add a new dynamic to the Geelong line-up. 

It was a moment to warm the hearts of Cats fans as Chloe Scheer opened the account in the second half, her first goal at the level since the 2023 Preliminary Final, while Parry kicked her fifth to see Geelong's lead climb to 61 points at three quarter time. 

Piper Dunlop booted the first goal of her AFLW career in the final term, Geelong continuing to capitalise on their dominance as they closed out a brilliant 85-point victory over St Kilda. 

The Cats will head to the Gold Coast in Round 3 to take on the Suns at People First Stadium. 

2026 AFLW Season - Round 2

GEELONG    4.1   9.2   12.3   16.4   (100)  
ST KILDA    1.1    2.2    2.2    2.3    (15) 

GOALS
Geelong: Parry 6, Scheer 2, Morrison, Moloney, McDonald, Mason, Crockett-Grills, Bowen, Kearns, Dunlop 1
St Kilda: Tawhiao-Wardlaw, Butterworth 1

BEST
Geelong: Parry, Prespakis, Morrison, McDonald, Webster
St Kilda: Patrikios, Smith, Priest, Gee, Lambert 

INJURIES
Geelong: Amy McDonald (hamstring)
St Kilda: Amber Clarke (foot)