Mikayla Bowen tackles Deanna Jolliffe at GMHBA stadium (Photo: Geelong Cats Website)
The Cats have put their low-scoring start to the season behind them with an impressive victory over the Saints at GMHBA Stadium, scoring the greatest total in their history in the women’s competition.
The Cats, who had scored eight goals in total this season, had six goals in the first half alone on Thursday night off the back of scintillating ball movement.
Finishing with 11 goals for the match, Geelong tore shreds through the St.Kilda backline, who were under siege from the first minute when Shelley Scott put through the first major.
The battle in the midfield was the catalyst for the Cats attack, winning the centre clearances nine to five, even with the Saints having nine more hitouts.
Star midfielder Amy McDonald was sensational for the Cats, gathering a whopping 34 disposals, nine tackles and 11 clearances, with four of them coming out of the center.
Cats coach Dan Lowther was happy with the way his side attacked, saying post-game, “The way we moved the ball, we showed a lot more composure”
“(We) Had a good balance between live play and controlled play whereas in the past we’re probably to live
“Finding some marks and aiming to get the ball deeper into forward 50 was important and I thought our forward players that we had playing that role today… provided us that movement and that target that we needed.”
The Cats had struggled with linking the ball from their midfield into attack in the opening four rounds but looked a completely changed side against a visibly rattled Saints outfit, with McDonald leading the charge.
Georgie Prespakis had eight inside 50’s for the game to go with her 25 disposals and 11 tackles, continuing to showcase her immense talent.
She may however have a case to answer for a dumping tackle on Erin McKinnon that saw the latter suffer a suspected concussion and fail to return to the game.
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Their ability to find a target in the forward line was much improved, with 12 marks in the attacking arc coming from 28 inside 50’s.
The pairing of newest forward Shelley Scott and Chloe Scheer was wildly successful for the Cats, scoring six goals between them.
After a difficult first half, the Saints responded by winning the third quarter and restricting the Cats ability to find a target inside 50.
The Cats then got back to their best in the last quarter, kicking three goals to blow the margin out once again and score their highest ever total in their AFLW history, 71.
Nat Exon tried her hardest in a tough night for the Saints, collecting 16 disposals, eight tackles and a goal.
Kate Shierlaw has continued her goal-scoring streak, not missing a game this season without hitting the scoreboard.
Cats skipper Meg McDonald had the job on Shierlaw and put in an admirable performance, collecting 14 disposals and 10 intercept possessions playing on the league’s leading goalkicker.
The win sees the Cats claim their third win of the year after taking down the Tigers and the Dockers, while the Saints have now lost three in a row after victories in the opening two rounds.
Geelong now prepare to face the Bulldogs in their next game, while St.Kilda have another difficult task ahead against the Magpies at RSEA Park.
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