Geelong are looking to claim their first-ever AFLW finals win when they take on Essendon in Sunday’s eliminator.
The Cats may have lost veteran Kate Darby due to suspension, but they are riding a wave of confidence after big back-to-back wins to see out the season.
The Bombers meantime will be rueing their missed opportunity for top four after shock losses to lowly West Coast and their final round defeat to the Gold Coast saw them finish in seventh.
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But Bombers coach Natalie Wood isn’t concerned by her side’s late season form.
“We had a few losses in there we were able to learn from,” Wood said.
“Across the game (v Gold Coast) we had our chances.
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“We ended that game with a loss which was really disappointing. To come back home on the Saturday… to sit around and wait for the games to unfold over the weekend was exciting. We remained in the eight.
“It was emotionally draining that whole weekend.
“We’ve reset and there’s a really positive energy (heading into Sunday’s clash).”
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
The Cats were “untouchable” early as they piled on the points in a blistering start.
Aishling Moloney set the tempo up forward with a big mark and goal to open scores.
Jacqueline Parry and Chloe Scheer the joined the party as the Cats had three goals within the first eight minutes.
Essendon just couldn’t get their hands on the footy in worrying signs for coach Natalie Wood.
“The Bombers looking absolutely stunned,” commentator Sarah Olle said.
Geelong’s great start was soured when Scheer left the ground clutching her shoulder.
She went straight down to the rooms to get the injury assessed, but was later ruled out of the contest in a devastating blow.
Play was stopped a short time later when Amber Clarke hit the GMHBA Stadium turf hard in a marking contest.
Clarke was stretchered from the field as a result of copping a stray elbow while being sandwiched between two Cats.
At the first change, Geelong held a 22-1 lead.
It took a costly 50m penalty to get Essendon their first goal of the final through Sophie Alexander.
But when Nina Morrison charged downfield, she found Julia Crockett-Grills inside 50 and the margin returned to 21 points.
Moloney was causing “real headaches” for the Bombers when she added her second goal. When Amy McDonald got off the chain at a forward stoppage, she pushed the lead to a game-high 35 points.
Madi Prespakis gave the Bombers something to savour with a brilliant goal on the run, but sister Georgie had her own reply for the Cats down the other end.
By the main break, it was Geelong holding a 49-13 lead.
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