AFLW 2024: Geelong’s Amy McDonald, Kate Surman and Mikayla Bowen reach game 50

Geelong AFLW star Amy McDonald, Kate Surman and Mikayla Bowen will celebrate 50 games in the Cats’ round 1 clash against Melbourne.

Geelong Cats AFLW players Kate Surman, Amy McDonald and Mikayla Bowen share a laugh ahead of their 50-game milestones. Picture: Brad Fleet

It’s a scary thought but Geelong star midfielder Amy McDonald believes she is a long way from her best football.

McDonald will run out for game 50 for the Cats in Saturday night’s season-opener against Melbourne, with teammates — winger Mikayla Bowen and forward Kate Surman — joining her in reaching the significant milestone.

Geelong leader Amy McDonald is eyeing further improvement in season 2024. Picture: Brad Fleet

Entering her sixth season at Geelong since she was drafted via their VFLW program, McDonald has staked her claim as one of the league’s best midfielders, with All Australian honours and three Cats’ best and fairest nods already to her name.

Last season, the 26-year-old finished equal runner-up in the league’s best and fairest, averaging 22.7 disposals and 7.2 tackles a game as the Cats reached a preliminary final.

Nine months on and McDonald is determined to take her game to another level.

“I feel like I’m a long way from my best, I think there is a lot I can keep adding to my game,” McDonald said.

“Just trying to add lots of layers, I obviously love hunting the ball and being in the contest and it’s now adding on those next layers to that — trying to be a bit more damaging with my disposal, trying to be involved in chains rather than just a one-give and be done.

“Plenty still to work on and hopefully I can implement some of that this year.”

Geelong coach Dan Lowther praised McDonald this week for her ability to evolve her game.

“To pick up the nuances of the game, to build on the strengths of those around her and change to her game year-to-year,” Lowther said.

“Her footwork and speed and the way she can move, and extract the footy is like not many others in the competition.”

Geelong’s Amy McDonald in action in a practice match against Essendon earlier this month. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Working within a star-studded midfield group featuring the likes of Georgie Prespakis and Nina Morrison has its perks too for McDonald and the Cats.

“I’m pretty lucky to get to work with some of the best in the comp every single training session,” she said.

“I think we have such genuine care for each other and we want to challenge and push each other to be better players individually and for the team.

“They’re both so young, only 21 and 23, which is insane and they’ve got such a long career of development so the more we can push each other and drive each other to be better, the better reward we’re going to see from that as well.”

Elevated to the Cats’ leadership group this year, McDonald was adamant it wouldn’t change how she approached things, wanting to be known as an “actions-based” leader.

As for her 50th game, while the star Cat will be focused on getting the better of the Dees in round 1, the importance of the milestone isn’t lost on her.

“It’s obviously an incredible achievement and I think in the women’s space, you think 50 games, that’s not many but I’ve played every single game since I debuted five years ago, and I’m only hitting 50 so it’s actually pretty crazy how long it’s taken to get to that milestone,” she said.

Originally published as AFLW 2024: Geelong’s Amy McDonald, Kate Surman and Mikayla Bowen reach game 50