These are some of the names Cats fans could get used to cheering in years to come that have impressed in the first month of this season:

BECKY WEBSTER Age: 20. Games: 14

THE midfielder won Geelong’s VFLW best-andfairest in 2019 and has been earmarked as a player of the future. Her toughness on the inside has formed a potent one-two punch with Olivia Purcell and she collected a career-high 24 touches against St Kilda last week and was nominated for the Rising Star award.

AMY McDONALD Age: 23. Games: 10

DEVELOPED within the club’s VFLW system, McDonald has been a revelation this season. She ranks fourth in the AFLW for contested possessions per game (11.5) and leads the club for clearances (four) and tackles per game (5.5). McDonald’s ability to find space and avoid tacklers makes her hard to catch in close.

OLIVIA PURCELL Age: 20. Games: 18

THE 2020 All-Australian has been slightly down on her numbers of last year and is averaging two less disposals a game but her consistency has been excellent, having collected between 16 and 19 touches in every match.

SOPHIE VAN DE HEUVEL Age: 20. Games: 17

A DEVELOPING defender, Van De Heuvel has lifted her output and become a rebounder off half-back this season. Laid five tackles and took five marks in a strong allround effort against St Kilda.

DENBY TAYLOR Age: 21. Games: 14

TAYLOR’S skills on either foot have been well regarded inside the club and she is starting to find more of the ball after playing in a range of different positions.

OLIVIA BARBER

Age: 18. Games: Three

IT’S been an impressive start for the former basketballer. She kicked a goal in the first minute of her debut game in Round 2 and has since shown glimpses of pack marking talent, having won the mark of the week award in Round 3. Barber has shown she isn’t afraid to get dirty, having laid three tackles in back-to-back weeks.