The VFLW Cats have suffered an 88-point defeat to competition leaders North Melbourne Werribee Kangaroos on Saturday afternoon at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.

A flurry of goals early on from North Melbourne created too big a deficit for the Cats to mount a comeback, Geelong slipping to their eighth consecutive defeat. 

Hayley Peck was a standout for the Cats collecting 18 disposals, 23 hitouts and 10 clearances in her ruck role, continuing to offer plenty of support in both stoppages and active play.

Abby Favell (23 disposals, five tackles, seven clearances) pieced together another great performance from the midfield, while Elise Cook (18 disposals, seven interceptions) was a force in the backline for the Cats.

Breanna Pratt celebrated a major milestone during today’s game, playing in her 56th game for the Geelong Football Club’s VFLW side overtaking the previous record holder, Maddie Boyd on 55 games played.

Geelong were well held in a tough opening term as North Melbourne kicked away early with six unanswered goals leaving the Cats 40 points behind at quarter time. 

Mekah Morrissy darted through the first goal for the Cats to give in the second term, but the Kangaroos responded with four majors of their own to extend their margin to 64 points at the main break.

Captain Mel Staunton played with aggression, laying five tackles to try and stifle North’s attacking momentum, as did Hayley Peck who often found herself as a key player in backline contests, limiting further opposition entries.

The Cats returned from half time and wrestled some momentum back booting another two goals, with Breanna Pratt involved in her milestone VFLW game, but another four majors from the Kangaroos pushed the margin out even further at the final break. 

The final term saw the Cats maximise their defensive pressure, restricting North Melbourne to just two goals as they battled it out until the end, but Geelong eventually fell to an 88 point loss by the final siren.

Brooke Bailey and Molly Walton combined for 12 interceptions throughout the match, playing an important factor in limiting the Kangaroo’s forward entries in the last quarter, while Jemima Woods finished with 13 disposals and four inside 50’s showcasing her impressive ability at finding targets up forward.

2025 VFLW Season – Round 8

GEELONG CATS                                0.0     1.1      3.2     3.4     (22)
NORTH MELBOURNE WERRIBEE     6.4    11.5    15.5    17.8   (110)

GOALS
Geelong: Pratt, Morrissy, Jordan 1
North Melbourne: Dojiok 7, Ingram, Blair 2, Tierney, Ryan, Reid, Meier, Di Cosmo, Clifford 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Favell 23, Peck, Cook 18, Woods 13, Jordan 12, Morrissy 11, Bailey 10
North Melbourne: Barba 26, Blair 22, Di Cosmo 21, Tierney 20, Zander, Reid, Jackson, Dojiok 14

@ Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee