Geelong are looking to record the club’s first-ever win over North Melbourne in AFLW as the two undefeated sides go head-to-head on Friday night.
The Cats have been a surprise packet in the opening two rounds, averaging more than 10 goals a game this season.
North Melbourne meantime are the ladder leaders, having stamped their early flag credentials.
Watch every match of the 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
But against the Cats at GMHBA, they’ll be without star Kate Shierlaw due to hamstring tightness.
Cats coach Dan Lowther was confident heading into the clash with the Roos.
“We just haven’t beaten them. I feel like there has been a bit of a rivalry growing over the last couple of seasons,” Lowther said pre-game.
“Plenty of close games where we just haven’t gotten over the line, so for me it would be nice to get one over the Kangaroos for the first time.”
The match gets underway from 5.05pm from GMHBA Stadium, with coverage on Fox Footy channel 504.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
The Cats came out firing in the first term as their pressure forced North Melbourne into uncharacteristic turnovers.
Mikayla Bowen was outstanding in the front half, kicking two early goals off the back of two big holding the ball tackles.
Even Roos veteran Emma Kearney couldn’t escape the Cats’ heat as she coughed up the footy at half back when caught taking too long.
“Nina Morrison is certainly leading the attack on ball and body – it’s certainly keeping Geelong with the ball in their forward half,” commentator Isaac Smith said.
Alice O’Loughlin looked to have North Melbourne on the board, but her dribbler clipped the post.
At the first change, it was the Cats leading 13-1.
The Roos’ intensity lifted in the second term but again it was Geelong who had the answer on the scoreboard.
Georgie Prespakis extended the Cats’ lead to 18 points before a huge collision left Roo Tahlia Randall struggling to her feet.
Cats skipper Meg McDonald bravely put her body in the way of a charging Randall as the duo collided in the air.
“Look at the bravery! Randall with the good ol’ fashioned hip and shoulder. Tahlia Randall who created the collision has come off worse for wear,” commentator Kelli Underwood said.
“That’s probably where the biggest bravery is – if you’re able to release off your opponent and step back to someone coming towards you, that is why she is the captain,” Smith added.
“It happened so quickly! The impact was so big!
“That was a big collision.”
While Randall was later able to return to the contest, it was Geelong leading 20-3 at the main break – only the second time in AFLW history North Melbourne were goalless in a first half.
But the third term belonged entirely to the Roos as they clawed their way back into the contest.
Geelong’s Julia Crockett-Grills is set to come under scrutiny for her heavy tackle that forced Roo Mia King from the field.
“Crockett-Grills certainly in a bit of hot water for that tackle,” Underwood said.
“That tackling action… we all grow up as kids and the women are now finding out since their season started that it’s just a natural action, a natural instinct inbred into our game. It’s going to take a couple of years to get it out,” Smith added.
But while King was off, the Roos found their run with first Bella Eddey and then Randall slotting goals to narrow Geelong’s lead to just three points.
It was Roos star Jasmine Garner who gave North the lead for the first time in the match late in the third.
By the final change, it was the visitors holding a 24-21 advantage.
