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2022 NAB AFLW Season 6
Geelong Cats v West Coast Eagles
Round 5 •
27 4.3
Full Time
24 3.6
Cats Won By 3
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    Full AFLW R5 preview: Two clubs vying for first win, can top two stay undefeated?

    Two teams are honing in on their first wins for the season, while the top two teams face big challenges

    THE LADDER is beginning to take shape, as Adelaide and Fremantle remain undefeated at the top, while Geelong and the Western Bulldogs edge ever closer to a first win of the season. 

    Unfortunately for Greater Western Sydney, it will sit out of round four as the side deals with health and safety protocols, which means St Kilda has to wait until Tuesday to play its first game since round three.

    GET YOUR TICKETS Why you must secure your seat in advance

    Friday, February 4

    Geelong v West Coast at GMHBA Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT

    • Geelong came within two points of its first win last week, pushing the reigning premiers right until the final siren, without Nina Morrison no less. Despite the disappointment, that performance will give the Cats a heap of confidence as they return home to face the Eagles. The Cats have not won at home since February 2019, but that ten-game streak looks likely to come to an end on Friday. 
    • West Coast hasn’t had it easy, hubbing away from home since round two, winless and missing two scheduled games due to health and safety protocols. On Friday the Eagles need to be on the move, consistently creating options down the field to keep an impressive defensive duo of Meg McDonald and Maddy McMahon on their toes. Against Adelaide, they were caught flat footed inside 50 so didn't give themselves best chance at setting up set shots. They cannot be still in attack because Geelong will intercept and rebound at will. 
    • Tip: It's a tough ask for the Eagles, coming up against a confident and hungry Geelong. Cats by 20 points. 
    Geelong's Rebecca Webster in action during round seven, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

    Saturday, February 5

    Brisbane v Collingwood at Maroochydore Multi-Sports Complex, 4.10pm AEST 

    • Since its return in round three, Brisbane has created plenty of opportunities at goal, registering 30 scoring shots across two matches. Unfortunately, the accuracy of those shots has left a little to be desired, converting just 25 per cent of the time against Geelong last week. Against a tough Collingwood defence, it is important the Lions make more of the opportunities they create. 
    • Collingwood will be raring to rectify its round four performance, which produced the club's lowest score and fewest inside 50s in its history. Finding marks inside 50 will assist the Pies to be more considered in its attempts to score, and help them find more control of the ball in the forward half. 
    • Tip: These sides played off twice last year, including a prelim, for a total margin of just seven points, and this one is likely to be just as close. Brisbane by three points. 
    Brisbane's Dakota Davidson attempts a mark during the preliminary final against Collingwood on April 10, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

    Melbourne v Gold Coast at Casey Fields, 7.10pm AEDT 

    • Melbourne will be frustrated it couldn't get its controlled, short kicking game going against Adelaide in round four, while Gold Coast will no doubt have identified that the best route to beat the Demons is to apply pressure right across the field. The Suns are a handy pressure side, averaging 66 tackles each game, but they need to apply that across the whole match as any reprieve will see Melbourne steal momentum and pile on the goals. 
    • An ACL injury to Jade Pregelj exposes Gold Coast's backline, which is less than ideal coming up against a stacked Melbourne forward line. It's important that the Suns' defence doesn't push too high and allow scores over the back, where Pregelj would typically be sitting as a goalkeeper. 
    • Tip: Melbourne will be hell bent on getting back to the winners list. Melbourne by 15 points. 
    Melbourne's Krstel Petrevski handballs during round one, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

    Sunday, February 6

    Western Bulldogs v Richmond at VU Whitten Oval, 1.10pm AEDT

    • The Western Bulldogs came tantalisingly close to its first win of the season on Tuesday night, and will look to take that momentum into this home fixture against Richmond, which will also serve as the side's replacement Pride match. Around the ball, the trio of Ellie Blackburn, Kirsty Lamb and Jess Fitzgerald is growing stronger each game, and all look dangerous around forward stoppages.  
    • Richmond has become vulnerable at each end of the ground, missing both Harriet Cordner in defence and Courtney Wakefield up forward. In their round one win, the Tigers took seven marks inside 50, making use of Wakefield's presentation at the ball, but have taken just three in each of their games since. Finding alternative methods of attack has been a slow process, and Katie Brennan is being asked to fill a lot of the gaps created by missing players. More experienced forwards like Tayla Stahl and Christina Bernardi need to help carry more of the weight that is currently landing on Brennan's shoulders. 
    • Tip: The Dogs have been able to re-establish their backline, and that will hold them in good stead against the Tigers. Western Bulldogs by two points. 
    Richmond's Maddy Brancatisano collects the ball during round nine, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

    Carlton v Adelaide at Ikon Park, 3.10pm AEDT 

    • Carlton has really struggled to find any efficiency in its game style this year, inviting pressure with high, looping disposals that make teammates wait to receive the ball and stunting any speed or fluidity in the transition down the ground. The concern coming up against Adelaide is that the Crows have put on masterclasses in applying pressure each week. The Blues need to be more considered with their ball use if they're to stand any chance against Adelaide. 
    • Meanwhile, the Crows are one of two steamrollers in the competition over the first half of the season. In three of their four games, they have identified a forward with momentum and used them as the main avenue to goal, while other forwards provide support and create space. It is a damaging attack that, if one forward is being shut down, there are a number of other options capable of kicking multiple goals. 
    • Tip: Adelaide will continue to plow through its opponents as it looks to make a fourth finals series in six years. Adelaide by 30 points. 
    Carlton's Darcy Vescio in action during round four, 2020. Picture: AFL Photos

    North Melbourne v Fremantle at North Hobart Oval, 5.10pm AEDT

    • It took North Melbourne two rounds to find the high scoring side we know it to be, but it has managed to pile on 105 points in the past fortnight, establishing that scoreboard pressure once again. The drive Emma Kearney has offered splitting off the half backline, and the fresh combination of Mia King, Ash Riddell and Jenna Bruton on the ball has generated plenty of opportunities in attack. 
    • Fremantle might be without the irreplaceable Kiara Bowers, but the growth of Hayley Miller, and addition of draftee Dana East makes this a less concerning proposition than it may have been in the past. Importantly, finding a bit more efficiency in the forward line than they were able to against the Western Bulldogs will serve the Dockers' ability to control territory better. 
    • Tip: North Melbourne has started to hit its straps this season, and will challenge the Dockers, but not quite enough. Fremantle by five points. 
    Fremantle's Gemma Houghton in action against North Melbourne in round nine on March 27, 2021. Picture: Getty Images

    Tuesday, February 8

    St Kilda v West Coast at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 5.10pm

    • St Kilda has had to sit on the sidelines as two matches were postponed due to opposition unavailability. This has given the Saints extra time to reflect on a really strong three quarters against Melbourne, and also one quarter where they were cut open and exposed. Against the Eagles, they need to go back to that early round three performance where they were calmly picking out options forward of the ball and finding more outside ball rather than relying so heavily on their work from contest to contest. 
    • West Coast needs to find a little more dare in its game, and against the Saints they have a real opportunity to do so. The Eagles should consider hitting up shorter options on the angle rather than consistently kicking long down the line, while being more thoughtful about how they choose to move the ball forward will be important. 
    • Tip: The Saints will be keen to take the positives from their round three game and build on those after sitting out for two weeks. St Kilda by 12 points. 
    West Coast's Amber Ward and St Kilda's Caitlin Greiser compete for the ball during round nine, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

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    Cats produce last-minute miracle to notch first win

    Geelong has edged out West Coast in a Friday night thriller

    GEELONG has secured its first win of the season in thrilling style, surviving a late surge from a brave West Coast to win by three points at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. 

    The Cats franked their recent form to deliver new coach Daniel Lowther his first win, and triumph at their home ground for the first time since round one 2019, prevailing 4.3 (27) to 3.6 (24). 

    CATS v EAGLES Full match coverage and stats

    They were made to work for everything by the still winless Eagles, who trailed for the entire match until pinching the lead with just 90 seconds to play when Aimee Schmidt converted her set shot. 

    The visitors' lead lasted only 22 seconds, however, with Geelong's Darcy Moloney the hero, picking the pocket of Eagle Tayla Bresland to kick what proved to be the match-winner. 

    04:26

    Geelong then survived a late surge, with excellent midfielder Nina Morrison swooping on a dangerous ball deep in attack to put the result the bed. 

    Midfielder Amy McDonald was superb for Geelong with a team-high 24 disposals and seven tackles, while Morrison was important late and classy with her disposal, finishing with 15. 

    Rebecca Webster laid a game-high 11 tackles to go with 20 disposals and a crucial late clearance that set up the match-winning moment.

    Prized draftee Georgie Prespakis finished with 15 and seven tackles, with her talent and strength in the contest on display throughout. 

    Phoebe McWiliams' two first-half goals, the second coming after an excellent mark running back with the flight, proved crucial after an armwrestle following the main break. 

    00:47

    The Eagles, who have spent three weeks in a Melbourne hub and have been out of action for 14 days due to health and safety protocols, were impressive and pushed the Cats with their pressure around the contest. 

    Captain Emma Swanson was a force with a game-high 27 disposals, but the skipper was caught off the ground for a long period in the dying stages as the ball became stationed in the far pocket.   

    The moment

    Having gone goalless for the for the second half, it looked unlikely the Cats would snare one with just under two minutes left in the game. But Moloney's ability to swoop on Tayla Bresland's errant handball and quickly kick the goal made the 19-year-old the hero. The moment was made possible by Webster's long clearance up the ground, causing chaos inside 50 that the Cats were able to capitalise on.

    00:51

    Did you see that?

    The match featured prized draftees Prespakis and Eagle Charlie Thomas, who have each shown excellent early signs. It was Prespakis who provided the most telling involvement, however, late in the second quarter. Caught between three Eagles, she weaved a path around them all and them kicked cleverly to the advantage of McWilliams, who finished the job in style. The No.2 pick in last year's NAB AFLW Draft has been a junior star and it appears only a matter of time until she breaks out at the top level.

    The Eagles' inspiration

    West Coast regained captain Emma Swanson from suspension and looked a different team with the midfielder leading the way. A fierce competitor, Swanson was in everything early and the Eagles appeared to take their pressure to a level they haven't so far produced this season. It could have gone either way for the club, which is making a significant sacrifice to keep the season going. But after having several players out of action due to health and safety protocols, they gave an excellent account of themselves under Swanson's leadership.   

    04:32

    Say what?

    "To get over the line late, and to find some resilience to hold our poise late in the game was good. It galvanised the group. To see them after the game, happy with the work they've put in and the style and method that we're playing … was a real positive." – Geelong coach Daniel Lowther

    "We fought it out to the end, but I thought we started slow, which is disappointing. (But) I was really proud of the girls and what they've been through the last two weeks, to be right in the game come that last minute was a pretty good effort by them." – West Coast coach Michael Prior  

    What's next

    The Eagles will have a pure recovery focus before their next match on Tuesday, given three days to now prepare for the rescheduled round four clash against St Kilda at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. Geelong has a nine-day break now before travelling to take on Gold Coast at Fankhauser Reserve in Queensland.  

    GEELONG              2.1   3.1   3.1   4.3 (27)
    WEST COAST        0.0   1.3   2.5   3.6 (24)  

    GOALS
    Geelong: McWilliams 2, Webster, Moloney 
    West Coast: Bowen, N Kelly, Schmidt  

    BEST
    Geelong: McDonald, Webster, Morrison, Prespakis, McWilliams, Moloney  
    West Coast: Swanson, Lewis, Bowen, N Kelly, Hooker

    INJURIES 
    Geelong: Nil
    West Coast: McCarthy (wrist) 

    Reports: Nil 

    Crowd: 1938 at GMHBA Stadium   

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