Geelong’s VFLW team has suffered a loss to Darebin on Saturday afternoon in heavy conditions at Preston City Oval.

The 6.5 (41) to 4.1 (25) defeat puts an end to the Cats’ four game winning streak.

Darebin kicked the opening two goals to establish an early lead, but a goal to Rebecca Webster at the end of the first quarter steadied the scoreboard.

Geelong Falcons best and fairest winner Lucy McEvoy levelled the scores in the second quarter, as the 2019 AFLW Under-18 All Australian captain was rewarded for effort with a clever goal.

Geelong’s momentum continued in the third quarter in the slippery conditions, with Jordan Ivey and Danielle Orr both kicking goals to guide the Cats to a four point lead at the final break.

It was Darebin who came out firing in the final quarter however, booting three unanswered goals to record a 16 point win.

Geelong VFLW coach Natalie Wood said the loss highlights areas of improvement needed by her team.

“When we had our opportunities to go forward we just weren’t using the ball like we have done in previous games,” Wood said.

“We were kicking shallow entries and we were kicking flat to a contest, it just wasn’t giving our forwards much hope.

“We gave away some costly 50-metre penalties too.

“To our credit, around the contest we started structuring up a lot better. We were able to slow their movement out of the middle a little better, but to be honest we just lacked a bit of discipline and synergy out there today.”

Denby Taylor was named Geelong’s best player, and Wood was full of praise for the young defender.

“I thought Denby was outstanding in a day that didn’t go our way for a lot of it,” Wood said.

“Her confidence is just growing immensely. Her skills are just sublime, she does all the fundamentals really technically sound.

“For a 19-year-old player who’s still relatively new for us, the way that she plays and asserts herself on the game, the coaches are just in awe really.”

Wood also spoke positively on the ability to rotate Geelong Falcons players through the side.

“It’s a fantastic part of our competition that all NAB League players do get that opportunity after Nationals to come up and play,” Wood said.

“It’s a great credit to them. They’ve had a big football journey to date, so we need to make sure that they’re getting the adequate rest and recovery that they need.

“But also giving them a taste of what it’s like to play at this level, because they’ll all be putting their hand up for the draft. So if we can play a role in preparing them as the other clubs are, then that’s a good thing for the game.

Geelong will look to return to the winner’s list next Sunday when they face the Northern Territory Thunder at Queens Park.


VFL Women’s Round 12
Geelong Cats 4.1 (25) defeated by Darebin Falcons 6.5 (41)
Goals: Webster, McEvoy, Orr, Ivey
Best: D. Taylor, Ivey, Cranston, Webster, Caris, Orr
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Nil
@ Preston City Oval