Geelong VFLW squad revealed as several players stand up in tough pre-season loss to Collingwood
Fans got their first look at Geelong’s VFLW list in a pre-season scratch match, the new-look side aided by the experience of two ex-AFLW names. Plus, a Geelong champion lines up for the opposition.
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Geelong has bolstered its VFLW list with the addition of two ex-AFLW players, while several recent Geelong Falcons graduates are among those to get a chance in the state competition.
Retired St Kilda ruck Simone Nalder, who called time on a three-season AFLW career in December, and ex-Bulldogs and Tigers forward Jemima Woods had their first hit out for the Cats in Wednesday night’s VFLW practice match against Collingwood.
Finishing with the wooden spoon in 2024 with a 3-11 record, it’s arguably the start of a new era at Geelong under first-year coach Taylah Hassett as the Cats look to develop a new-look VFLW squad this year.
Expanding their primary list from 30 to 32 this year – with a further nine named as train-on players – only 13 have returned from last year’s primary squad.
Among the 19 new faces are six Geelong Falcons graduates, including last year’s skipper Mekah Morrissy and Falcons’ best and fairest Hayley Peck, and a host of local league players, including reigning AFL Barwon women’s league best and fairest winner Janessa FitzGerald, who helped Grovedale to a breakthrough flag last year, and Barwon Heads’ vice-captain Ally Duff.
The Cats have appointed new VFLW signing Mel Staunton as captain, Staunton a train-on AFLW player for the Cats in 2024 after spending the VFLW season with Carlton.
Staunton said it was an honour to lead a “young group” this season, supported by vice-captain Abby Favell and leadership group members Poppy Schapp, Liv Stewart and Madi Sexton, all of whom are returning players.
“It’s my first year at the club, but I’m super excited to get started with the girls,” Staunton said.
In Wednesday night’s scratch match, no AFLW-listed Geelong player took part – several watched on – and you’d expect some to float through the VFLW this winter, particularly as the latter parts of the state league campaign now align with the start of the AFLW season in August to allow non-selected players a chance to push for selection.
Though no official score was taken, the Pies easily had control of the scoreboard, kicking seven unanswered goals and impressing with their pace and link-up play, while Geelong only managed a handful of minor scores in the first quarter.
Geelong lost train-on player Filomena Iannuzzi to an injury concern in the third term, the 18-year-old carried from the field with what appeared to be a left leg concern, while the second half introduction of former AFLW All Australian ruck and Collingwood VFLW vice-captain Erin McKinnon changed the game.
The 189cm’s size and strength was unmatched to give her Magpies’ midfielders first use, with McKinnon at times snapping up the ball herself out of stoppages and booting it forward – one landing through the goalposts in a remarkable individual display of McKinnon’s own boot.
Meanwhile, a familiar face to Geelong popped up in Collingwood colours, Geelong Amateur premiership captain and former league best and fairest Danielle Sgarbi not looking out of place in the ruck before McKinnon's injection after halftime.
Sgarbi, who turns 40 on Monday, was called up by Collingwood’s VFLW squad for four of their last five fixtures last season.
FIVE CATS WHO STOOD OUT IN VFLW HIT OUT
Mekah Morrissy
Overlooked in last year’s AFLW draft, the former Geelong Falcons skipper impressed in her first game in hoops.
Spent most of the match on the left wing, while the 19-year-old also started the second half in the engine room before moving back onto the outside as she tried to spark the Cats’ attack.
Showed evasive skills to weave around or through traffic, and while she got caught or made a few unforced errors at times, the intent was right and she immediately worked to rectify by working back or laying a strong tackle.
Chloe Bryant
Another recent Geelong Falcons’ graduate, Bryant took up the post on the right wing on Wednesday night.
Though a midfielder for Falcons last year, Bryant was exposed to the wing during Vic Country’s U18 national championships and looked better suited to the position right now against bigger VFLW bodies with her lighter frame.
Nevertheless, the 18-year-old still managed to lay a number of bone-crunching tackles early, including one unlucky not to be called holding by Collingwood.
Made good decisions by hand and foot, showing great accuracy and vision with the latter to hit up forward targets on her right on several occasions.
Molly Walton
Popped up forward in the Falcons’ first foray inside 50, but quickly reverted to her natural position down back, positioning herself as the Cats’ last line of defence.
Took several important intercept marks to stop many of the Pies’ attempts forward and worked the ball well out of defence.
Played well in tandem with fellow defender Ruby Dale, who played a similar style game.
Will have wanted her time again when she gave away an early high free kick away to Collingwood in front of their goal, the 20-year-old eventually managed on the bench in the final quarter.
Jemima Woods
A 15 AFLW-gamer with Western Bulldogs and Richmond, 21-year-old Woods looked an experienced presence on the field for Geelong.
Showcased her strong marking ability through the midfield and defence, including a number of them going back with the flight of the ball, while she was able to move the ball with pace through the middle.
Simone Nalder
The recently retired AFLW ruck returns to the state league via Geelong, having previously won a VFLW flag at Essendon.
With last year’s rucks Piper Dunlop (Geelong AFLW) and Sammy Gooden (VNL) no longer available, the Cats were in need of bolstering their tall stocks, and at 186cm, Nalder, 34, was a composed presence in the contest for the Cats while following up around the ground with her marking and tackling ability.
Geelong rotated several players through the ruck, including 182cm Olivia Woods and FitzGerald (180cm), who played in ruck and up forward, while the Cats elected to play ex-Falcons’ ruck Peck (182cm) predominantly forward.
Geelong will play Essendon and Western Bulldogs in pre-season practice matches before opening its season on Saturday, April 19 against Box Hill Hawks at Deakin University.
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