Lily Jordan

In a challenging season opener, the VFLW Cats were defeated by the Box Hill Hawks by 58 points, despite showing plenty of promise against a seasoned opponent. Geelong’s revamped squad, led by new captain Melanie Staunton, fought hard throughout the match. Staunton herself was a standout, collecting 20 disposals and nine tackles, demonstrating strong leadership. The Cats also saw positive performances from Lily Jordan, Abby Favell, and new recruit Jemima Woods, who scored Geelong’s first goal of the season.

However, the Hawks capitalized on their strong start, leading by 16 points at the first break and extending their advantage by half-time. Geelong responded with some spirited efforts in the second half, with Hayley Peck and Poppy Schaap getting on the scoreboard, but Box Hill’s late goals sealed their dominant victory. Despite the loss, the Cats’ relentless tackling and determination provided plenty of optimism for new coach Taylah Hassett, who will look to build on these positives in the coming weeks. Geelong now sets its sights on securing a win in round two against Carlton.