TOUGH LOSS FOR VFLW CATS
Geelong knew it was up for a challenge yesterday against VU Western Spurs — and that’s how it unfolded
GEELONG VFLW coach Paul Hood is adamant that back-to-back losses have failed to dent the confidence of his side as it prepares for another top-three challenger this weekend.
The Cats went down to ladder leader VU Western Spurs by 27 points at Henry Turner Memorial Reserve in Footscray yesterday, their second loss to quality opposition in as many weeks.
Slipping to fifth on the ladder, Geelong now meets third-placed Melbourne Uni this Saturday in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
But Hood said his players had not lost faith as they work through a difficult period.
“We knew that we weren’t going to be the best team in the competition,” he said. “I think a few people around the place might have been getting excited after the first three rounds, but reality has kicked in now and we’re all just working harder to get better each week.
“So far we’re happy that we’re taking steps in the right direction.”
The Spurs burst out of the blocks at home, booting 4.2 to 0.1 in the opening quarter. The Cats booted their first major in the second term and held the Spurs goalless in the third stanza to breath life into the contest.
Trailing by 15 points at the final change, Geelong was unable to hit the scoreboard and conceded two majors to go down comfortably.
“They capitalised on all our mistakes and attacked really well,” Hood said.
“We were pleased with the way we fought back. We were in a position to contend at the start of the last quarter, but unfortunately we just ran out of petrol.
“Their ability to execute at speed was really good and it was just a bit difficult for our girls to deal with.
“It’s happened the last two weeks in a row but we just keep working. We were in a really difficult position against Diamond Creek, and this week wasn’t great, but we fought back a lot better.
“We took some positives out of the game, absolutely, but our opposition was able to play footy at speed a little bit better than us.”
The Cats will meet Melbourne Uni this Saturday at Anthony Costa Oval in a curtain raiser to Geelong’s clash against Fremantle at Simonds Stadium.