Our tale far from done
Unique group up for challenge
LAST Sunday, we gathered together in our secret garden nestled among the majestic light towers of GMHBA Stadium.
Not to train, but to sit quietly and nervously to learn the outcome of the match between a Pies team that had struggled to produce results and a Lions team that had toiled for a finals opportunity.
Like in so many great narratives, the unthinkable happened, and the Lions were overcome by the underdog Pies in the final battle — and so our fairytale at the Geelong Cats continues.
A wave of relief and excitement washed over us as a phone rang a familiar tune — Hedwig’s Theme in E minor.
With an immediate change in atmosphere, we all exploded in fits of laugher to the Harry Potter theme music, as we all know the phone belongs to the one and only Anna Teague.
I’m lucky enough to be locker neighbours with the wonderful “Teaguey”, who regularly flaunts her Hogwarts drink bottle at the gym, whose football courage and smarts can easily be likened to Hermione Granger’s and who can regularly be found re-reading the fifth novel on interstate flights.
It is the peculiarities of my Cats teammates that make for a unique playing group, both on and off the field.
From wizards to wonderers, Melissa Hickey encapsulates every aspect of what it means to be a feisty feline.
Hickey is one unique cat — not only does she have nine lives when it comes to going back with the flight of the ball to take intercept marks k time and time again, she is also a passionate bird enthusiast.
Not just crows, every species of bird. From the wedge-tailed eagle, to the yellow tail black cocky and tawny frogmouth, Mel’s expertise and love of bird life replicates the kind of investigation you might see her undertaking when thinking about her opponents.
Renee Garing doesn’t wear a cape on game day but is our team Batwoman with her elite agility and ability to pressure the enemy.
Garing regularly makes the most of her time as a PE teacher in her undercover life to ensure her super skills are maintained with some assistance from her wonderful year 7 and 8 students.
Tomorrow, our inner freak, geek and superhero alter egos will face their biggest challenges to date.
They’ll be no damsel in distress waiting for her horsedrawn carriage on Sunday, but that’s just part of the fun. We are pumped to finish our story, our way.
Tomorrow we face the h poll ished unit of Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval.
With a solid eight-day break, we feel fresh and prepared to ruffle some feathers.
Since our last meeting, we are well practised in travelling interstate, our contested method has improved out of sight and we have a greater understanding on how we can deny the influence of players like Erin Phillips and Angela Foley.
The belief is strong among the group and we know as a united front we can finish off this fairytale on our terms.
Every good film, novel and song has a narrative, story or a message.
The final chapter of our inaugural Geelong Cats AFLW season is one that you do not want to miss.
We are a bit quirky, a bit of an odd bunch, but that’s OK — we are OK with being a bit different.
Our individual differences are what helps the team to make the magic happen! Go Cats!