If you head to a Geelong AFLW game, there’s a good chance you’ll see signs in the crowd that dub 20-year-old Georgie Prespakis as the queen of Geelong.
In just her third season in the competition, the Cats midfielder is rivalling some of the best in the league and is set to play a huge role in Geelong’s preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night in Springfield.
Young Geelong gun Georgie Prespakis.Credit: Getty Images
Prespakis is third in the competition for clearances with a season average of 6.7 a game, fourth for loose ball-gets and eighth for contested possessions with 13.3 a game and inside 50s with 4.3 each outing.
Josh Finch, Geelong midfield coach, said what set her apart – other than her appetite to be the best and work ethic to get there – was her ability to win the ball inside and get it to the outside with speed.
“She’s very powerful and explosive, very strong with her contest method,” said Finch.“Just has an ability to fight for first possession inside the contest and get inside to out in quick time and get through congestion – that’s why her clearance numbers have gone to a new level this season.”
A sign for Georgie Prespakis during the second semi-final between Melbourne and Geelong at IKON Park. Credit: AFL Photos
Finch added that her ability to execute her role within the team on game day and “formidable” partnership with her midfield teammates, including Nina Morrison, who starred against the Demons with a game-high 29 disposals and 10 clearances, and three-time consecutive club champion Amy McDonald, was important to recognise.
“Even, say, on the weekend [against Melbourne], she didn’t probably have career-best numbers in terms of stats but her ability to apply pressure on the opposition – she had 13 tackles – I as a midfield coach and definitely Dan Lowther as our head coach, valued it as one of her best games for us,” said Finch.
The Prespakis name is quickly becoming synonymous with good footballers in the AFLW.
Even before Georgie was drafted into the league, there was hype around the young footballer ripping it up in the VFLW and who was the younger sister of league best-and-fairest winner Maddy.
Madison Prespakis of the Bombers and Georgie Prespakis of the Cats pose with family members after the teams clashed.Credit: AFL Photos
While Georgie’s first season in the competition impressed many, she took it to a new level in her second and third, which Maddy said was a result of her hard work, after being caught off guard in her first season with how challenging the competition was, and helped by her teammates’ form.
“I think for her first year even she would admit, it was a bit of wake-up call for her, like she probably came into it not expecting it to be as fast and as demanding as under-18s was,” said Maddy.
“And then going into her second season, she just took it by storm, just adapted to the competition really well and has set herself up to be one of the prime midfielders in the competition, which is credit to her hard work.”
Georgie finished runner-up in Geelong’s best and fairest for season seven.
Maddy echoed Finch and said the team’s success was not just her sister but the core Cats midfield group.
“Because they’re performing, it’s helping Georgie perform as well, so they kind of all help each other out,” she said.
After Geelong survived a fourth-quarter surge from Melbourne in the semi-final last weekend to book their preliminary final spot, a video circulated on social media of Maddy watching the final quarter.
“I was so excited because I just thought they get to play in a prelim and then all of a sudden, emotion change and thought oh no, Melbourne are going to run over the top,” said Maddy as the Demons kicked five goals to one in the final term but the Cats held on for a five-point win.
“I couldn’t really sit down. I had the TV going outside, had the TV on inside, I was going from outside to inside … Now that we’re [Essendon] out of finals, I want them to do really well.
“Hopefully, next year we can strive and make a preliminary final … But for now, I’ll be jumping on the Cats bandwagon.”
The Cats have a hard task ahead of them facing 2021 premiers Brisbane in Queensland but have momentum in their back pocket with four big wins in a row, including two finals, the latest against reigning premiers Melbourne.
They play on Saturday night at 7.45pm AEST with a spot in the grand final on the line. If they make it, it will be Geelong’s first appearance in an AFLW premiership decider.
Star Roo extends contract
Speaking of clearance machines, five-time All-Australian and this season’s league best and fairest frontrunner Jasmine Garner has signed a contract extension keeping her at North Melbourne until at least the end of 2027.
The three-time club champion was already contracted for 2024 but signed a three-year extension ahead of the Roos’ preliminary final this weekend against minor premiers Adelaide.
North Melbourne’s Jasmine Garner, considered one of the league’s best players.Credit: AFL Photos
A crucial cog in the Kangaroos midfield alongside Mia King and Ash Riddell, Garner has averaged almost 30 disposals a game, plus seven clearances, inside 50s, tackles and a goal in each outing.
Garner said the decision to recommit for as long as she could was a no-brainer.
“I just love coming here. It doesn’t feel like work to me,” said Garner. “The people involved at the club – the players, the coaches, all the staff – and I guess the way they’ve embraced not only me but also my brother Kane [who leads North’s cheer squad at games].
“We both love it here and I’m really excited to extend for another few years.”
North Melbourne head of women’s football Nathan Hrovat said it was exciting for the club to retain a player and person of Garner’s calibre.
“She is a highly respected member of the playing group both on and off the field, with her great football nous and constant drive to get better and be the best she can be for the team,” said Hrovat.
“We look forward to what we can achieve as a team with Jasmine here helping drive the standards and watching her continue to build her incredible AFLW resume.”
North Melbourne host the minor premiers Adelaide at Ikon Park at 3pm on Sunday and are hunting their first flag, while the Crows are after their fourth.
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