After succumbing to the toughest test in football during their season opener, there was only one thing on Geelong's mind when they returned home for a Round 2 clash with St Kilda... a response. 

Eager to show what they had learned under a new coach and with a big pre-season behind them, the Cats roared to a emphatic 85-point thumping of the Saints, well and truly igniting their 2026 campaign. 

One of the things that made it such an impressive victory was the Cats' ability to win nearly every facet of the game, leading St Kilda in disposals (+68), inside 50s (+11), contested possessions (+21), marks (+33) and tackles (+10). 

But it was more than just what the statistics indicated, with a visible and obvious connection right throughout the Geelong playing group, attacking the game with a certain energy and confidence that has not been seen for some time. 

A player who has made a brilliant start to the year for the Cats is Bryde O'Rourke, who said that a response was all Geelong were looking for heading into Round 2. 

"It was good and it was a whole team performance," O'Rourke said. 

"Off the back of last week, we really just wanted to change the narrative and get to work on what we didn't get to in Round 1.

"We wanted to show Mick that we can respond, and really happy with the result.

"To change things around, we are really proud of that and it is something that we are going to keep going through with this season."

O'Rourke collected a career-high 17 disposals against St Kilda, also taking seven marks and collecting four intercept possessions to back up a strong performance from Round 1. 

Her development over the pre-season has been one part in a broader trend at the club, with a number of young stars and emerging talent taking big steps forward, making the future even brighter for Geelong's AFLW team. 

Able to put into practice what they have learned under Mick Stinear, O'Rourke provided some insight into what the Cats had focused on over the pre-season to enhance their game. 

"I think something that we have been working through across the whole pre-season was our contest and our first gives," O'Rourke said. 

"Just trying to be strong over the footy and really prioritise the hard balls, just trying to get our midfield connection strong.

"We like to start games really quick and just try to prioritise that same level of composure and grit throughout the whole four quarters.

"I think we did that tonight, and that is something we would be really proud to take through the whole season."