CATS v PIES AFLW OPENER
Home blockbuster to launch season
GEELONG will launch its inaugural year in the AFLW in 2019 with a season-opening blockbuster against Collingwood at GMHBA Stadium.
The clash on Saturday, February 2, will be a twilight fixture starting at 6.40pm and will be one of three games that the Cats play at home.
Their remaining matches at GMHBA Stadium will come against Carlton and Fremantle, while they will travel interstate three times to take on GWS and powerhouse outfits Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions.
Geelong also plays the reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs in Round 2 at VU Whitten Oval, in what looms as a baptism of fire after the Round 1 battle with the Magpies.
Acting club CEO Sarah Albon said the Cats were thrilled by the opportunity to open the season against Collingwood.
“It is pretty incredible to be hosting the season opener, particularly in what will be our 160th anniversary, so to play the Magpies down here is a great thrill for the club,” Albon said.
“We’re excited to have the Pies down here, and the men haven’t been here for a few years, so to see the black and white out on GMHBA Stadium is a great opportunity for us — especially in the season opener.
“All three games that we have down here are in familyfriendly timeslots and building a crowd is a huge priority for us, so that gives us an incredible opportunity to do that and providing that incredible match day experience will be a focus area for us.”
The 10 competing clubs were split into two conferences for the third instalment of the AFLW competition, with Geelong joined by Collingwood, Carlton, Brisbane and GWS, and the Bulldogs, Adelaide and Fremantle joined by Melbourne and fellow newcomer North Melbourne. It means the Cats will miss the chance to take on Lily Mithen’s Demons after she opted to stay with Melbourne for the 2019 season.
“We are confident the AFL put due consideration into the conference model,” she said.
“We understand that we won’t play the Kangaroos and Melbourne, but you can’t play everyone given the nature of the system.
“I think there might be a few rivalries with the girls switching across from club to club … so who knows, we might still meet Melbourne in the finals.”