It has been a challenging start to the 2021 AFLW season for Geelong but vice-captain Jordan Ivey is confident a victory isn’t far away.

The Cats have grown in every outing, improving week-on-week and now they face a new challenge playing St Kilda for the first time on Friday night.

“We are 0-3 but I think we are continuing to build a connection within the group, and we can feel that the first win is definitely coming,” Ivey told geelongcats.com.au.

“Each week we have played we have definitely improved, and we are looking to do that again on Friday night. 

“The Saints will be a tough challenge, but we are definitely up for it and I can see the improvement and hopefully we can get that first win.”

After being blown away in Round 1 by an impressive Kangaroos outfit, the Cats have been right in the game at three quarter time in each of their previous two games but have fallen short at the final siren. Now their challenge is to play their brand of football for longer periods.

“We probably had our most complete performance on the weekend. I think we ended up playing three and a half quarters instead of four.”

“We had a feeling that night that we were definitely in it and you could see the passion within each of the player’s eyes and in their voices.”

Despite the recent losses, the team hasn’t lost their belief and they are approaching each session with tremendous spirit.

With an equal league high four debutants this year and more than a third of its list yet to reach 10 games it is going to take time for this group of talented players to build a connection with each other, which has been a focus for the Ivey and the leadership group this year.

“I am really enjoying being around the girls and helping galvanise the group each week.”

“Meg (McDonald) is great to work with along with the other girls in the player leadership group. I think we all bring something different to the leadership team and we are all working in unison as we look to build that connection within the team and drive the standards at training and during the game."

After having their season cut short in 2020 due to Covid, the team once again finds themselves under restrictions this week with training reduced to groups of 10, but such is the positive mindset of the team that they are hoping to use it to their advantage come Friday night.

“I think because everyone has been through a lockdown and Covid restrictions before, we have been able to just roll with the punches.” 

“I think we are going to be training within our lines so all of the forwards, mids and backs in their separate groups which I think will help create more unity within those groups.”

Geelong will travel to RSEA Park for the first time on Friday night to play St Kilda, with the first bounce at 7.10pm AEDT.