Geelong Cats has capped off its AFLW pre-season with a strong win over Gold Coast in their Practice Match against Gold Coast Suns on Saturday.

In what was a balanced performance for the Cats, they held the Suns to one goal, with their pressure and ball winning ability on show with repeated transition plays and turnovers leading to goals for the Cats in the 10.7 (67) to 1.3 (9).

Kate Surman kicked off the scoring, converting a major after receiving a free kick close to goal, with Bella Smith following suit shortly after with a clever snap.

Geelong’s pressure was giving the team plenty of looks, with Mikayla Bowen and Georgie Prespakis pouncing on a midfield turnover, allowing Aishling Moloney to mark and convert in the dying seconds of the opening quarter.

It was a trend that continued through the rest of the game with Bowen seemingly in everything as she tackled, pressured and assisted in multiple Geelong goals. Bowen finished off some of her own work in the fourth with a stunning bouncing snap evading Suns defenders to sneak through for a major.

Prespakis sent a warning to the competition, with two goals in the first half, the first as she darted through two tacklers and finished on the outside of her boot, before slotting her second from 45 metres out not long after. Prespakis moved with pace and power all day and ran out the game strongly, causing headaches for the Suns midfield as she racked up possessions.

Geelong’s defence held strong all night with multiple intercept marks from key backs Meghan McDonald and Claudia Gunjaca. Becky Webster provided her trademark run and carry, while Bryde O’Rourke followed on from her form from last week on the wing, kicking a crafty goal in the fourth quarter and giving the Cats plenty of dash.

New recruit Piper Dunlop also showed promising signs with her ruck work and a number of contested marks. Playing predominantly in the ruck in the first half, Dunlop presented well and made contests down the line, and gave her midfield group plenty of options to work with at ground level.

Amy McDonald, Rachel Kearns and Erica Fowler all came into the game for their first minutes against opposition for the year, with McDonald particularly prominent, showing her class in the contest and providing further tackle pressure.

Geelong will head into its Round 1 match against reigning premiers North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos with some momentum after two positive showings in the pre-season.

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2025 AFLW Practice Match

GOLD COAST         0.1    1.2    1.2     1.3     (9)  
GEELONG CATS    3.0    6.1    8.6    10.7    (67)  

GOALS
Geelong Cats: Prespakis 2, Moloney 2, Surman, Smith, Kenny, A. McDonald, Bowen, O'Rourke