Cats make unwanted history in narrow loss
GEELONG went down to powerhouse Darebin by 13 points in what could be the lowest scoring game in VFLW history.
The wind at Princes Park caused havoc, but the Falcons got on the board in the opening two minutes of the game with their first goal.
There were only two more goals scored for the game — Darebin at the 20th minute of the first term and Geelong late in the last — as the Cats fell 2.8 (20) to 1.1 (7).
“I think it was the lowest aggregate score in VFLW history, so I heard, but it was due to the cyclonic conditions we’ve got here,” coach Paul Hood said, without knowing that out at Williamstown, VU Western Spurs scored a 29-4 win over Seaford in similar conditions.
“The girls toiled really, really well. Darebin kicked two goals in the first quarter and from then on in, it was a real tussle.
“Both teams obviously found it difficult to move the ball and applied a really good level of pressure. It was a real fierce contest, just not that pretty because of the conditions.”
While Hood was proud of his side’s even contribution across the board, Hannah Mangan received plaudits for her performance.
“We felt Hannah Mangan was outstanding with her pressure across half-forward,” Hood said.
“In a lot of outnumbered, contested situations she did really well. Hayley Trevean and Cassie Blakeway were both terrific inside around the ball.
“Krista Woodroffe probably led the defence the best today — all the defenders played well.’’
The loss squares the Cats’ winloss ledger ahead of next week’s meeting with Box Hill, another precursor to the men’s VFL side.
“Five and five, but a really encouraging performance against what is a powerhouse team that were pretty strong, so a lot of hope for the rest of the year,” Hood said.