Geelong has fallen to Fremantle in its opening game of the AFLW season at Fremantle Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Cats fought hard all day and scores were level going into the final quarter, however the Dockers proved too strong to record the 6.8 (44) to 4.4 (28) victory.

Geelong was busy in defence early, with Fremantle kicking the opening goal of the match through Sabreena Duffy. Maddy Keryk was composed in the backline, taking multiple intercept marks as Geelong steadily grew in confidence.

Georgia Clarke kicked Geelong’s first goal, after Phoebe McWilliams showed impressive vision from the 50-meter line to find her teammate. Julia Crockett-Grills and Rebecca Webster finished the opening quarter with 10 disposals each, as the Cats went in to the first break with a two-point lead.

Rocky Cranston got Geelong off to a quick start in the second quarter, as the crafty midfielder showed off her silky skills to handball the football to herself while under pressure from her opponent and run in to convert the goal perfectly.

Fremantle kicked consecutive goals to reclaim the lead, with the Geelong defenders again working hard under pressure. Madisen Maguire got the breakthrough major for the Cats just before halftime, kicking her first AFLW goal in her debut match and narrowing the margin to just one point.

Nina Morrison booted the opening goal of the third term in her return from injury, with the lead changing once again to put the Cats in front. However, a goal to the Dockers before three-quarter time levelled the scores in the high intensity affair.

The home side peppered the scoreboard in the final quarter and controlled much of the play, before Duffy kicked her fourth goal to seal Fremantle’s 16-point victory.

Olivia Purcell impressed for the Cats in the midfield, finishing with a game-high 27 disposals, while Crockett-Grills managed 22 disposals and five marks.

Geelong will look to bounce back next Sunday in its first home game of the season, taking on the Brisbane Lions at GMHBA Stadium.

FREMANTLE     1.0     3.3     4.4      6.8 (44)
GEELONG        1.2     3.2     4.4        4.4 (28)

GOALS
Fremantle:  Duffy 4, Houghton, Roux
Geelong:  Clarke, Cranston, Maguire, Morrison

BEST
Fremantle:  Bowers, Duffy, Roux, Miller, Houghton, K Antonio, Strom 
Geelong:  Crockett-Grills, Webster, Purcell, Cranston, Keryk   

INJURIES
Fremantle:  Stephanie Cain (knee) 
Geelong: Nil

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 5,509 at Fremantle Oval

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