AFLW 2024: Scoring inefficiency costly in Geelong’s seven-point loss to Richmond

Geelong will take some comfort knowing their style of play is one which can put on a spectacle in the AFLW but a recurring problem has manifested into a losing conundrum for the Cats.

The match got heated in the third term as Richmond and Geelong players scuffle Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

It’s a persistent problem for Geelong, whose AFLW finals aspirations are all but over after scoring inefficiencies handed the Cats a fifth loss in an 11-game season.

It was the fourth time this year the Cats controlled a match in large parts but failed to put that dominance on the scoreboard as top-four Richmond pounced late with two clutch goals to seal a 6.10 (46) to 5.9 (39) win at Punt Road.

“We’ve played a few of these games, haven’t we, this year, where we’re going okay, the game looks okay but we’re just not getting the win we’re chasing which is a bit annoying,” Cats coach Dan Lowther lamented post-match.

“We’ll take away that we’re playing a style we think where the competition is heading but we just need to make sure we tighten up.”

Ladder permutations could still see the 2-5-1 Cats pull off something miraculous if they win every game from here on out but their run home is one of the toughest in the competition, with home games against top eight Brisbane and Adelaide and a trip to Perth to face West Coast Eagles to come.

“If we win all three, you never know, there might be teams that pull a draw and we might jump across them,” Lowther said.

In any case, it was another missed opportunity for the Cats, who held a five-point lead against the Tigers with eight minutes left on the clock.

Mikayla Bowen (left) and Kate Darby celebrate Darby’s fourth quarter goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While a breeze favoured one end for most of the day, the Cats, kicking against the wind in the fourth quarter, managed to give themselves a chance, as Jackie Parry and Kate Darby kicked goals to put the Cats in a winning position by the 15th minute mark.

But in a final quarter spanning just under 24 minutes, the Tiger had time to pull off two goals to wrest the win from Geelong’s hands, with their skipper Katie Brennan icing the game with a perfectly executed set shot in the final minute.

Scoring woes

The Cats had four more inside 50 entries than their opponents but couldn’t translate it on the scoreboard, with the Tigers dominating scoring (33 points to nine) from intercepts despite having six fewer inside 50s from that source.

Nina Morrison and Monique Conti go after the ball on Saturday. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The Cats managed just 1.6 from 19 entries in the first half – with 1.3 in the first quarter with the wind and double the Tigers’ inside 50s (12-6) — while they dominated possession and territory in the first 10 minutes of the second for 0.3.

“Sounds like a bit of a familiar story for us over the last month or so with multiple shots on goals but kicking behinds,” Lowther said.

“I think it’s the type of shot on goal we’re having too at times, it’s not all chaotic and live play footy, we’re having shots from the boundary line when maybe we should be looking a bit more to pout the ball in more dangerous positions or probe the ball a bit more closer to goal which could then support the efficiency on shots on goal.”

With the Tigers up by five at half time — in part to star midfielder Monique Conti’s eight second quarter touches and a goal — the Cats took back control in the third, with

Aishling Moloney’s mark on the goal line giving no doubt the Irish talent would successfully snap the goal before Jackie Parry’s set shot gave her side back the lead.

But a Tigers’ goal against the breeze — the first of the day — meant the home side stayed within two points heading into the final term and put the onus back on Geelong to try

get something of their own against the breeze in the fourth.

This they did on two occasions — via Parry and Darby — but the Tigers answered with three of their own to win the game.

Aishling Moloney celebrates her goal in the third term. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Individual brilliance

If there has been a bright light within Geelong’s season, it’s the play of Aishling Moloney.

The 26-year-old Irish woman had career-high numbers across several match stats, including disposals (22 – 13 of which were contested), marks (six) and tackles (four).

Along with her third quarter goal, ‘Lingy’ also posted eight score involvements.

Meanwhile, Jackie Parry presented well at both ends – the forward used in defence in the second quarter to take two strong intercept marks — while Kate Surman looked lively on return from a concussion to kick the Cats’ first.

Tough midfielder Nina Morrison tried to will her side to the win with 22 disposals and seven clearances, as Chantel Emonson spearheaded the Cats’ attack out of defence with five inside 50s and 432 metres gained — 199 of those in the first quarter alone.

Geelong defender Rachel Kearns leaves the field injured on Saturday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Competitive Cat out with concussion

Irish defender Rachel Kearns will miss the Cats’ round 8 home clash against Brisbane with concussion, which she sustained laying a bone-crunching tackle in the second quarter.

It was a blow to lose a player who until then, had looked dangerous out of defence.

“She started really well, it’s a shame for her, she’s been through the wars this year,” Lowther said.
“Just her effort and competitiveness sometimes gets her into a bit of a pickle but to be concussed laying a really strong tackle, that’s what we love about her.

“She’ll be a big out for us.”

But the Cats expect forwards Shelley Scott and Kate Kenny to be ready for the Lions, with Scott — who is one game away from a 75th AFLW appearance — sidelined against the Tigers due to a virus while Kenny was rested with a sore ankle.

The Cats’ non-selected players also participated in a scrimmage earlier on Saturday in a bid to push for selection.

Originally published as AFLW 2024: Scoring inefficiency costly in Geelong’s seven-point loss to Richmond