Geelong will be rueing its missed opportunities to claim a second straight win after failing to kick a goal against St Kilda.
The Cats’ defence put in a strong effort against the Saints at RSEA Park but it wasn’t matched in the forward half with inaccuracy costing Geelong in the 0.9 (9) to 2.6 (18) loss.
Geelong was able to keep the Saints to a single behind in the second half, but couldn’t make the most of its own opportunities in front of goal in the windy conditions, kicking six behinds after the break.
It was a dour first quarter but Geelong had most of the play and was able to lock the ball in its forward half.
Key defender Maddy McMahon led the way for the Cats in the quarter, regularly intercepting St Kilda’s attempts to attack and pushing the ball back into Geelong’s forward 50 arc.
Despite getting the ball inside 50 regularly, the Cats were unable to get close enough to goal to score regularly and kicked just three behinds to two, until a mark and goal from Kate Shierlaw with just seconds left gave St Kilda the lead.
The Cats then dropped off in the second quarter, with St Kilda controlling the play in the quarter.
However the Cats defence was resolute and kept the Saints to just the one goal from Caitlin Greiser.
Down by 14 points at the half, the Cats regained the momentum and got the ball into their forward half several times but struggled with the wind.
Chloe Scheer and Claudia Gunjaca both missed set shots, as the Cats’s three behinds meant the margin was only decreased to 12 points by three-quarter time.
The fourth quarter was much of the same as the Cats peppered the goals without any luck, leading to Geelong’s first ever goalless game in AFL Women’s competition.
Former number one draft pick Nina Morrison was the Cats’ best, with the 21-year-old collecting 18 disposals for 464 metres gained – by far the most by anyone on the ground.
Sophie Van De Heuvel’s dash off half back was important while Laura Gardiner and Amy McDonald played solidly in the midfield.
Both McDonald and Gardiner led the Cats’ midfield with 18 disposals and four tackles each, while McDonald also collected four clearances.
Maddy McMahon’s defensive worked was important for the Cats, finishing with 16 disposals, five marks and 10 intercepts, which was only bettered by captain Meghan McDonald’s 11 intercepts.
The Cats will now be looking to end the season on a high in the final round of the season.
Geelong will host GWS Giants at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night, in its last game for 2022 with the Cats unable to make finals.
Currently sitting 12th on the ladder, a win over the 11th placed Giants could see Geelong possibly finish as high as 10th, while a loss could see the Cats slide to 13th.
