To this day, it remains one of the greatest games in AFLW history and perhaps Geelong's finest moment in the competition. 

The 2023 Semi-Final between the Cats and Demons at IKON Park was one for the ages, a true showing of skill, grit and determination, with a spot in the penultimate week of the season at stake. 

Geelong had progressed to the post-season with a 6-4 record, good enough to secure sixth spot on the ladder and a home Elimination Final. 

They got the job done against a plucky Bombers outfit, winning their first ever AFLW Final and progressing to a blockbuster Semi-Final at IKON Park the following week. 

The task ahead of them, however, was against the reigning premiers, a dominant Melbourne outfit that had been upstaged by North Melbourne in a Qualifying Final, but had fire in the belly as they aimed to avoid a straight-sets exit. 

It looked like a true David vs Goliath battle on paper, but what transpired was one of the most incredible spectacles that the competition has ever seen, played out in front of a boisterous crowd at IKON Park. 

The Cats knew how important it was to get off to a fast start, not only to build the confidence and belief within their own playing group, but also to place a little bit of doubt in the minds of Melbourne's players, who were looking for a big response after their defeat a week earlier. 

Needing to make a statement, Geelong turned to their three-time best and fairest winner and one of their most accomplished players of all time, as Amy McDonald took the game by the scruff of the neck. 

Just two minutes into the contest, the star on-baller slotted the opening goal of the game, before following that up with a second goal shortly after, giving the Cats a healthy 14-point advantage at quarter time. 

Geelong were on top and had the momentum, generating plenty of opportunities from forward half turnovers and it started to pay dividends, as Jackie Parry hit the scoreboard early in the second term. 

Kate Darby followed suit and with their pressure through the roof, the Cats extended their advantage to 19 points at the main break. 

It was a remarkable start and a brilliant half of football from the underdogs, but Geelong were fully aware that there was still plenty of time left for the brilliant Demons team to make a resurgence. 

But again, the Cats seemingly had all the answers. 

As the third quarter unfolded, Julia Crockett-Grills and Shelley Scott split the big sticks to increase Geelong's buffer. 

Combined with a remarkable defensive effort that saw Melbourne held to just one goal through three quarters, the Cats held a 30-point lead at the final change and had one foot in a maiden Preliminary Final. 

But it would not be that simple, and what everyone had expected for large portions of the day started to come to fruition, as Melbourne made their charge. 

It took just 20 seconds for the Demons to hit the scoreboard, followed by two more quick goals and all of a sudden, the margin was just 12 points with plenty of time still on the clock.

Aishling Moloney kicked a crucial steadier for the Cats, but it did not ice the game as Melbourne mounted one last challenge late in the match. 

Two goals in 90 seconds pulled the margin back to six points with over two minutes remaining. The Cats were hanging on for dear life and the stadium held its breath. 

With 15 seconds on the clock, the Demons ventured forward once again and ruck Lauren Pearce wrenched the ball out of the stoppage, but her kick drifted narrowly to the left and sailed through for a minor score. 

That proved to be the final play of the game, Geelong held on and recorded their most famous AFLW victory to date, taking down the defending premiers and advancing to a Preliminary Final for the first time in the club's history. 

The Cats will look to replicate that historic afternoon this Saturday, as they return to IKON Park to face Melbourne with a place in a Preliminary Final at stake.