RAINING CHAMPIONS
GEELONG is just one win off securing a finals VFLW berth after dismantling Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
The Cats were without ruck Erin Hoare and forwards Jordan Ivey and Maddy McMahon, but blooded Geelong Falcons premiership stars Olivia Purcell and Nina Morrison in the 8.11 (59) to 2.2 (14) victory.
They led 28-1 at halftime and conceded a goal in the third and a goal early in the last, before sealing the win with three unanswered majors in the final term.
“In the end the scoreboard probably flattered us a little bit, but I think before that it was 5.11 to 2.2 and the score was pretty tight,” coach Paul Hood said.
“We certainly feel like we’re doing a lot of things right.
“We were challenged a bit with personnel with no Erin Hoare, no Jordan Ivey, no Maddie McMahon, so they were three big outs.
“Olivia Purcell and Nina Morrison played their first games, so they did very well.
“There’s still a little bit of turnover in the team and some holes to fill, but the girls are managing it quite well.”
Purcell and Morrison also joined their former teammate in Zoe Inei, who took the ruck duties in Hoare’s absence.
“They had nice days. Zoe played in the ruck and competed really hard,” Hood said.
“It wasn’t great conditions for the talls, with a bit of rain throughout the game it was always wet and slippery but Zoe competed really hard.
“Liv Purcell was clean as an inside mid and had a couple of moments where she broke the game open with some really good disposal, and Nina Morrison worked tirelessly up and down the wing.
“Both Liv and Nina were rotated fairly heavily because they’ve had big seasons and have got some big games ahead, but when they were on the field they had a really good impact.”
Both Ivey (tightness) and McMahon (head knock) are in the frame to return for Sunday’s away game against Casey, which can sew up a finals berth for the Cats.
They’re a game-and-a-half clear of fifth-placed Darebin with two rounds to go.