Raining Cats and Dogs: Sodden Ballarat surface overshadows gritty Geelong keeping season alive
It had been raining Cats and Dogs in Ballarat ahead of the clash between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, with the Mars Stadium surface coming under fire despite a cracking finish.
Geelong has kept its finals hopes alive with a gritty 11-point win over Western Bulldogs in horrid conditions in Ballarat.
With both teams needing to win to keep their top eight chances alive, the Cats adapted to a wet and slippery surface in no time, scoring half of their goals in the opening five minutes to jump out to a handy lead early.
Without best and fairest midfielder Isabelle Pritchard, the Dogs hit back and managed to make it a five-point game with 1:45 remaining after a pinpoint Jess Fitzgerald set shot
But an Aishling Moloney kick-off-the-ground goal in the dying stages sealed the victory for the 5-6 Cats on Sunday afternoon.
The Dogs had five scoring shots to one in the final term but failed to capitalise in the tough conditions that had visible puddles throughout after more than 20mm of rain fell in the 24-hours leading in.
“They (the conditions) were interesting. At ground level it was like we were running in a swimming pool so it was tough,” Cats’ Amy McDonald said.
“We couldn’t really be overly clean so probably not the best spectacle but sometimes you have to win dirty.”
Cats captain Meg McDonald was impressive on return to the side, and in her 75th AFLW game, registered 10 touches and 173 metres gained.
No. 1 clearance player Georgie Prespakis was best afield with a game-high 26 touches, six clearances and 413 metres gained. Fellow Cats midfielder Nina Morrison also continued her strong form from a 27-disposal game last week with a tough 15 tackles and 15 touches.
Cats ruck Kate Darby came off the field towards the end of the third term after suffering a calf injury.
The Dogs were led by midfielder Elle Bennetts who picked up a team-high 330 metres gained in a 17-disposal game. Fitzgerald was also crucial with 14 possessions to go alongside her crucial major in the final term.
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The Cats face the Demons in the final round of the AFLW pic.twitter.com/KZL0JcWbQG
WET CONDITIONS
It was more like an NRL match at times than AFLW with 23mm of rain spoiling the contest at Mars Stadium.
The slippery clash saw an above average 157 tackles laid as players fought tooth and nail in a heavily contested affair.
Marks were at an understandably low 61 overall as contested possessions rocketed to 135-134 in the Dogs’ favour.
“It’s really hard the conditions, something that is pretty different for a lot of us, especially on this side of the ground; it’s pretty wet and the ball just stops,” Cats midfielder Nina Morrison said at half time.
Commentator Jason Bennett described the venue as “the Ballarat swimming centre” during the first term as viewers adjusted to the unique AFLW weather in October.
Despite the wet affair, the Cats managed to adapt swiftly with three goals in the first five minutes including the opener in the first goal in 46 seconds.
CAPTAIN’S RETURN
Bulldogs captain Deanna Berry was remarkably dropped in round 9 as coach Tamara Hyett hoped for her leader to get a feel back for playing on instinct.
Recalled after two games out, the 27-year-old made a steady comeback, collecting eight disposals and an inside 50.
The midfielder-forward finished the game strongly with five touches in the second half after a quieter three in the opening two quarters.
SURMAN ON BOARD
After six behinds for the season, Cats small forward Kate Surman finally got on the board for her first goal with a well-directed snap.
The breakthrough major came at a crucial time as the Cats extended their lead to 16 early in the second term.
Surman finished the match with 14 touches, three tackles and 196 metres gained in a strong outing.
Originally published as Raining Cats and Dogs: Sodden Ballarat surface overshadows gritty Geelong keeping season alive
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