NT clash on safer ground

FROM one extreme to the other. The intense heat of Darwin to the bitter cold of Melbourne. The wide expanses of TIO Stadium to the tight confines of North Port Oval.

Nine weeks after Geelong and NT Thunder met for the first time this season, the circumstances could not be any more contrasting ahead of tomorrow’s VFLW semi-final.

The Cats will welcome the forecast 17C and relish the smaller ground at Stannards Oval.

They will also bring back a host of reinforcements to the side that was hammered by NT Thunder to the tune of 63 points back in Round 9.

“We’ve got six players who didn’t play last time, so we feel we’ve just about got the best side that we could possibly play,” Geelong coach Paul Hood said.

“And we’re confident we can put our best foot forward. They’re significant ins, but looking at NT’s team, they have picked a very solid lineup too. So it should be a great game.”

Geelong was missing a host of stars for the clash back in July, but will regain Erin Hoare, Jordan Ivey, Jaime Woollett, Nina Morrison, Olivia Purcell and Courtney Stevens.

Anna Teague also sustained a shoulder injury in the first quarter against the Thunder and played no further part in the match.

Despite the reinforcements, Hood understands the challenge his side faces against NT, which finished the home and away season in third on the ladder.

“They’re a strong side and their top-end talent is very good,” Hood said.

“They’ve got some very accomplished AFLW players in their side, so they will provide a great challenge, but that’s exactly what we want.

“They move the ball really fast, and playing in dry weather of Darwin in the huge space of TIO Stadium, they move the ball quickly and like to get the ball out in the open.

“It’s a great way to play, but it’s going to be harder for them to do it on the smaller confines of North Port Oval.

“Add in the fact they’ve had two weeks off, they had the bye and then we had a week off before the finals, so it’s a different preparation for both teams.

“The game can throw up anything and we’ll be ready for everything.”

Confidence remains high for the Cats, according to Hood, despite a recent defeat.

“We’d won our last five games before we lost to Box Hill last weekend,” Hood said.

“That was disappointing not to get a win there — we just didn't convert — but Box Hill is a good team and they’re playing good footy, so they sharpened us up.”