Gutsy Catters tame NT Thunder
GEELONG has booked a VFLW preliminary final clash with Collingwood after yesterday’s come-frombehind win over NT Thunder, but the Cats look set to be without ruck Erin Hoare, who hurt her foot in the nine-point win.
The former Melbourne Demons ruck — who will represent the Cats in their AFLW introduction next year — had her right foot in a moon boot post match after suffering the first-half injury.
It forced coach Paul Hood to swing the magnets, with Kate Darby picking up the slack in the ruck to give the Cats a smaller look inside-50.
NT Thunder led by 15 points at the main break before goals to Hannah Burchell (two) and Danielle Orr got the Cats within a point at the final change.
Thunder then stretched the margin to seven points with the first major of the last, but Richelle Cranston and MiaRae Clifford found the goals to send the Cats into a preliminary final.
“We needed to (change things up) a little bit with Erin going down,” Hood said.
“Erin’s got a little foot injury that we’ll check up on during the week, but it ruled her out for today, so Kate Darby going into the ruck for us was vital.
“That allowed Courtney Stevens to get a bit more time as a forward and Maddie Boyd, the time she just offered us a marking presence and a target to kick to was fantastic.
“We did a really good job changing things up and a credit to the players to handle those new roles as well as they did.”
Hood said his players, led by teenage sensation Nina Morrison, deserved the semifinal victory.
“It’s a great reward for the players, they’ve worked so hard with pre-season starting in November,” he said.
“It’s great to see them get that reward of winning a final and obviously great practice for what’s coming over the summer. It was probably the strongest team we’ve put out, this week.”
Michelle Fidele, Laura Taylor and Isabel Currenti remain on the fringe for the Cats, who take on Collingwood on Sunday for a spot in the grand final against Hawthorn. The Cats and Pies drew when they last met in Round 1.
“It’s set up pretty well, isn’t it? It was a great contest that day and it ended in a draw, so this is a great rematch,” Hood said. “They’ve brought some real talent in their team, too, (since then), so they’ll be a fierce opponent.”