AFLW: Geelong gun prepares to face off against former side

One of Geelong’s most improved AFLW players has given an insight to what has been key to her improvement as she prepares to face her former side in Sunday’s semi-final.

Jacqueline Parry and Chantel Emonson ahead of the semi-final against Melbourne. Picture: Brad Fleet

The friendly texts from former Melbourne teammates have stopped lighting up Jackie Parry’s phone this week.

Before Geelong’s elimination final win over Essendon, Demons players were more than happy to wish the key forward luck.

Parry played with Melbourne for three seasons between 2020 and 2022.

Fast forward several days and both sides will be aiming to end the other’s season when the Dees and Cats do battle in Sunday’s semi-final at Ikon Park.

Playing the best footy of her career, Parry is excited by the challenge that lays ahead.

“Last week, I got a few good luck messages, but I don’t think I’ll be getting the same messages this week,” she laughed just days out from the biggest game in Geelong’s short history.

“I think it’s going to be a great challenge, they have a lot of great talent across the ground but so do we.

“We’re going to give ourselves every opportunity to win this game on the weekend.”

Parry’s season has seen her average career high numbers across several different stats including 11.3 disposals and 1.2 goals a game.

For the second straight season, she has played every game for the Cats.

She said the key to her individual success had been working closely with the club’s coaching staff.

“Last year was pretty new and it was a short process so took a little while to adjust,” she said.

“But I had a big off-season. I did a lot of work with Dan (coach Dan Lowther) and my teammates. Having a longer pre-season definitely helped to build that chemistry.”

Parry and her other teammates will be forced to carry more of the offensive load on Sunday with Chloe Scheer to miss with a broken collarbone.

But it’s a challenge she is embracing.

“We all know Chloe is a fantastic player and it is a shame to loser her,” Parry said.

“We’ve got a lot of depth in our forward line and anyone can step up and play that role. I’m really excited to see who that will be.”

Originally published as AFLW: Geelong gun prepares to face off against former side