The Cats dominated all aspects in a tough day at Fremantle Oval (Photo: AFL Womens)
The Cats have proven last week’s victory was no fluke, with dominant defending highlighting a ruthless victory against the Dockers at Fremantle Oval.
In another low-scoring affair for the Cats where they struggled to convert in front of goal, it was their backline, led by captain Meg McDonald, that prevailed as the biggest winners on the day.
They managed to restrict the Dockers to just 0.1 for the match, the lowest score to date in the history of the AFLW.
The likes of McDonald and fellow defenders Annabel Johnson and Shelley Scott held up the Dockers all day, especially in the first half, and rebounded the ball with efficiency.
The Dockers had only one mark inside 50 for the game, demonstrating the dominance of the Cat’s key defenders.
Their defensive intent was on display as they attempted to stop the Dockers from hitting the scoreboard at all in the last quarter, with some last ditch attempts on the goal line.
Cats coach Dan Lowther spoke highly of his backline after the game, telling the media “You can’t not back our defence today.”
“Our defence were well set behind the ball and when it did come down into Freo’s front half they battled really hard and were set to repel it.
“Hats off to our midfield and defence.”
With tough winds and wet weather creating a congested game, Geelong continued to show their resolve from round one. Fremantle, who are known for their contested football, were outplayed in that regard by their opponent, losing the contested possession count 120-98.
The Cats dominated the disposal count in general, with 45 more disposals in the tough conditions.
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The Dockers held all of the sway in the first quarter, with over 70% of time spent in the forward half before the Cats seized control of the contest after quarter time.
The first score of the game came under a minute into the first quarter, before the Cats got their first goal through Nina Morrison not long after.
With shades of last week’s clash with the Tigers, the Cats struggled to convert their chances, kicking seven behinds in between their first and second goals, the latter coming through Julia Crockett-Grills.
The Cats added another goal through Georgia Clarke not long after, before the Dockers scored a behind through Mim Strom.
Amy McDonald was sensational through the middle of the ground for the Cats, gathering 29 disposals, five tackles and five clearances in the wet conditions.
“She’s brilliant,” said Lowther of McDonald post-game.
“She’s worked so hard. Another thing she’s done is work with our young midfield group to be in line and to understand the way we want to play and she’s driven those standards.
“We talk about values and standards but she’s certainly on the front foot with those.”
For the Dockers, Kiara Bowers tried her hardest all game, amassing 18 disposals and a whopping 12 tackles, all while spending 95% of time on the ground.
The win saw the Cats go 2-0 on the season, while the Dockers sit at the opposite end of the table at 0-2.
The Dockers season doesn’t get any easier in round three, playing an in-form Bulldogs, while the Cats face a genuine test against the ever-dangerous Pies.
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