Geelong's AFLW team are full of momentum after recording their third consecutive win, as they prepare to face Adelaide at Unley Oval in Round 5. 

After staving off a strong challenge from Essendon, the Cats have moved inside the top four on the ladder for the first time this year, looking to keep rolling heading into Saturday's clash. 

Adelaide started slowly in 2026 but have found form over the past fortnight, including a big win over Hawthorn last week to set-up a big match this weekend. 

Take a look through some of the key things to watch ahead of Saturday's clash with the Crows, proudly presented by Deakin University. 

Ladder

Geelong: 4th (3-1)

Adelaide: 10th (2-2)

Recent History - Geelong v Adelaide

Deakin Performance Stat of the Week: Handling Adelaide's Pressure

After a slow start to their season, Adelaide have ratcheted up the pressure over the past fortnight and it has led them to two big wins to kick start the campaign. 

Two weeks ago against West Coast, the Crows laid 79 tackles and finished with a +28 differential, also laying more tackles inside 50 and it helped them record a 17-point victory. 

They then took it to another level against Hawthorn last week, laying a whopping 86 tackles and finishing with a +21 differential, leading them to a 28-point win over last year's top-four finisher. 

Geelong are coming off a three-week stretch where their opposition averaged 55 tackles per game, so they will need to be able to adapt to the Crows' elite pressure on Saturday afternoon. 

Crows Player to Watch - Ebony Marinoff

There have not been many better players in the history of the AFLW, with Marinoff boasting a resume that includes three premierships, a league best and fairest, seven All-Australian selections and much more. 

The Crows star has shown no signs of slowing down in 2026, currently ranked ninth in the competition for disposals and first for tackles, while still proving to be one of Adelaide's best players around stoppages. 

Marinoff has also been a key driver in the forward half for the Crows, ranked ninth in the league for inside 50s while also kicking two goals of her own across the opening month of the season. 

She has certainly caused headaches for the Cats in recent meetings, so Mick Stinear and his side will need to find a solution to quell Marinoff's impact on Saturday afternoon. 

Where Geelong Can Improve - Through the Midfield

This will be a big watch on Saturday, as Geelong's brilliant midfield unit looks to control the ascendancy against an Adelaide on-ball division that has struggled early in 2026. 

The Cats rank 14th in the competition for clearances so far this season, but the Crows rank 17th with an average of just 18.0 clearances per game. 

Adelaide sit second last in the AFLW for both centre clearances and stoppage clearances, while also ranking last for gaining the first possession at stoppages, well below the AFLW average and below Geelong. 

While the Crows are susceptible in this area, it will provide a chance for the Cats to capitalise on Saturday and with the likes of Georgie Prespakis and Nina Morrison in excellent form, it could prove to be a pivotal area in the match.