AFLW 2024: Geelong’s Becky Webster says two-point loss to Melbourne showed Cats their best footy can beat anyone

It wasn’t a winning start to season 2024 but for Geelong and defender Becky Webster, their performance against long-time contender Melbourne warrants belief their best can beat anyone.

Geelong’s Becky Webster tackles Melbourne's Megan Fitzsimon in Saturday’s season-opener. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Geelong leader Becky Webster has put the Cats’ two-point loss to Melbourne up there as some of the best football the team has produced regardless of result.

Webster, who helped set the tone in defence against the Dees on Saturday night, felt there was very few negatives to take away from the narrow defeat, which turned in the Demons favour just before three quarter time.

Most statistical markers between the two sides couldn’t be split, except for hit-outs, clearances and marks inside 50s favouring the Dees, who wrestled back enough control late to hold on for the round 1 win.

Geelong midfielder Amy McDonald lays a crunching tackle on Melbourne skipper Kate Hore. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

In an 11-game AFLW season, wins are at a premium though and pressure can quickly ramp up on those who don’t get those early four points.

But Webster said the Cats wouldn’t feel the heat if results against top clubs North Melbourne and Brisbane didn’t go their way in the next fortnight.

“I thought our intensity on the weekend just been was exceptional, and Melbourne, credit to them, they’re a tough opponent,” Webster said.

“It’s weird, we haven’t come through the four walls going ‘we lost on the weekend and we’ve really got to win this weekend to feel like you’re on the mark’.

“We sort of rate our success on our performance and I thought the way we played on the weekend was up there with some of our best footy.

“We’re only going to get better so regardless of the result on the weekend, we can go into the season whether we win or lose on the weekend knowing that our best footy can beat anyone.”

Geelong’s Nina Morrison fends off Demons debutant Ryleigh Wotherspoon on Saturday night. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It’s this belief which will be critical against premiership contenders North Melbourne at Arden Street on Sunday afternoon, after the Roos knocked off reigning premiers Brisbane by 44 points in a round 1 grand final rematch.

The Cats, who joined the league the same time as North Melbourne in 2019, have yet to beat the Roos in six meetings, with their last four defeats, including a final, all decided by 12 points or less.

Webster said the Cats were “itching” to get out and bring the pressure to the Roos, with a job to try and nullify Emma King’s impact in the ruck.

And after the Cats let one league star get loose on Saturday in Demon Kate Hore, Webster said they’d need to “keep an eye” on another star in Jasmine Garner, who was elite in the Roos’ win over the Lions with 28 disposals (17 contested), six tackles, six clearances and a goal.

“She is a class outfit, undoubtedly one of the best players in the league so we’ve got to show her some respect,” Webster said Garner, an six-time All Australian.

“But we go into each game as well wanting to play our best football and that’s off the back of our structure and how we want to move the ball.

“I know if we can get our hands on the ball first, that sort of helps that.”

Originally published as AFLW 2024: Geelong’s Becky Webster says two-point loss to Melbourne showed Cats their best footy can beat anyone