Ash Bolt
Missed opportunities in front in front of goal has seen Geelong slump to its third straight defeat to start the 2022 AFLW season.
The Cats showed great pressure and intensity in the Friday night marquee match at GMHBA Stadium, but didn’t make the most of their chances in the 3.6 (24) to 5.5 (35) loss to Collingwood.
Geelong had six more inside 50s than the Pies for the game, but only scored from one-third of them, which coach Dan Lowther said was an area the team needed to improve.
“They took their moment when it counted, and we didn’t take ours,” he said.
“We had opportunities, which was really pleasing for us. Again, we’re growing in that right direction.
“The difference is that we don’t take our moment as consistently as other teams do.
“We’re aware of that. It can come down to decision-making and composure.
“We’ll get better.”
Lowther said while the Cats were pleased with the trajectory of improvement this season, they weren’t losing sight of the need to get a win on the board.
“We had a chat with the players after the game about how we are on an exponential growth in the right direction, but we just have to get a win,” he said.
“It’s [good] to be happy with improvement, but when it doesn’t lead to wins, based on our own misjudgment or errors, it can be frustrating.
“The group are really positive with the direction we’re headed in. There’s pride – we’re proud of each other – but we still know what we’re playing for, though.”
The Cats led at quarter time, with Georgie Prespakis’ clearance work and Sophie Van De Heuvel’s run and carry proving important, but could only manage one goal to Collingwood’s three in the next two quarters.
Down 11 points at three quarter time, the Cats looked like a chance of claiming their first win when a Darcy Moloney set shot goal brought them to just four points down.
But a 50m penalty not too long after saw the Pies extend their lead with Chloe Molloy’s second goal for the night, and they held on to win by 11 as the Cats missed opportunities late in the term to close the gap.
Amy McDonald again led the way for the Cats with 20 disposals, a game-high 12 tackles and a team-high 293 metres gained.
Van De Heuvel finished with nine disposals and 258 metres gained, while Maddy McMahon had another solid game in defence, with 15 disposals and 10 intercepts.
The Cats will now travel to Maroochydore to take on the Lions, with the game scheduled for Saturday evening, although it is possible it could be changed to accommodate COVID-19-related fixture troubles.
