AFLW 2024: Geelong keep top eight dreams afloat with four-point win over Sydney

With their finals hopes on the line in Sydney — with another loss sure to put the nail in the coffin — the Cats showed a side of themselves they hadn’t yet this season in the dying minutes.

Geelong forward Jackie Parry breaks away from her opponent on Sunday. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Geelong captain Meg McDonald says her team had “much to gain” from a hard-fought three-point win which keeps their season alive.

Just when it looked like the Cats might give away another first half lead in the final quarter to Sydney — after similar second half fade outs against Melbourne, Hawthorn and Fremantle this year — the Cats did just enough to hold on, 5.14 (44) to 6.5 (41) at Henson Park on Sunday.

This was after failing to put the game to bed earlier when they had their chances, and as the Swans launched a final quarter assault with the breeze behind their back.

“To find a way to win and to find a way through, of course we’d love to convert all those goals and have the goals-behinds reversed but we had much to gain from a mentality and resilience and growth point-of-view from a hotly contested fourth quarter so I’m proud of the girls,” McDonald said post-win.

It looked like Irish star Aishling Moloney put to game to bed early in the fourth when she kicked the only goal of the day against the breeze to give the Cats a 20-point lead.

And while it did end up becoming the defining goal, the Cats had to work hard to defend their lead in afternoon heat, as the Swans started to take the game on and play on confidence for three goals, including an unbelievable snap from Lexi Hamilton, to get within four points with eight minutes to play.

Geelong’s Aishling Moloney kicks for goal. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Kate Darby with daughter Ella and Georgie Rankin lead Geelong out against Sydney to mark their 50th games. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

But the visitors’ pressure, and in final minutes, composure, including a smart mark and kick from Claudia Gunjaca to eventually find Kate Darby just out the forward 50 to absorb precious seconds on the clock, saw the Cats close out the game.

Not taking their chances

Geelong — who has kicked 43.51 this season — was efficient early going inside 50, up 20-2 at quarter time off a 6-5 inside 50 count, though they did benefit off the breeze.

They defended well early in the second quarter before a seven-minute period of brilliance from Irish import Paris McCarthy (three goals) vanquished their lead in the opening half of the quarter, and it was hereafter they failed to take their chances. Working hard to generate a lot of inside 50 chances going into the breeze, their reward for contested ball dominance was just five behinds instead of what could have been a goal or two.

Darcy Moloney shades herself from the Sydney sun at three quarter-time. Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

They managed just 1.3 in the third with the aid of the breeze as both sides ramped up the pressure in the third, with the Cats’ pressure acts inside 50 not enough to extend a two-goal lead heading into the final quarter.

“The ball going between the big sticks is what we’re after but again, the ball going the right way, enough forward half pressure and shots on goal is what we’re after,” coach Dan Lowther said.

“Yes, kicking straight will win games by better margins clearly but the fact our girls were playing the game in the front half is another positive to take out of it.”

Moloney’s goal early in the fourth came off an inside 50 pressure act, while key forward Jackie Parry was eventually swung behind the ball late in the game to shore up defence with her strong marking ability.

Cats bring the heat

In each of the Cats’ losses — and draw against North Melbourne — this year, they’ve lost the contested possession count.

In their win against Gold Coast, and now Sydney, it’s an area they controlled.

Up +21 for contested possessions against the Swans, Georgie Prespakis was key to this with a game high 13, with Nina Morrison (eight) was equally as busy.

The Cats, whose two wins have come interstate, had better luck with the ruck contest this week — an area they’ve continually been beaten in (avg. hit-outs in 2024, 19.9) after losing the services of Liv Fuller (inactive), Erin Hoare (retirement) and Lilly Pearce (ACL) — to finish level 31-all with the Swans, Cats’ 50-gamer Kate Darby (21 hit-outs) the dominant presence on the ground, though it should be noted the Swans were without their own star All Australian ruck Ally Morphett.

Julia Crockett-Grills produced her best game of the season, kicking the first goal of the game and having 11 touches, 5 marks and 244 metres gained in the first half alone, to finish with 17, seven and 296, while Parry was a dominant target with eight marks (three contested), 14 touches, one goal and eight score involvements.

Geelong debutant Bella Smith is presented with her guernsey by teammate Nina Morrison. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

New Cat earns stripes

Geelong’s third debutant of the season, Bella Smith looked at home on the field against Sydney.

The 21-year-old already had one game to her name from her time at Brisbane Lions, while her first touch for the Cats ended up being a goal assist to Aishling Moloney in the opening quarter.

The midfielder brought pressure and her contest work appeared strong, with her captain praising her performance — which included nine touches (six contested), four tackles, three inside 50s and two clearances.

“She was brought in for that reason and I thought some of her contested ball was really impressive,” McDonald said.

Originally published as AFLW 2024: Geelong keep top eight dreams afloat with four-point win over Sydney