Geelong are coming off their highest ever score and margin (versus Footscray), and knowing that a win this weekend would very likely secure them (at least) third on the ladder come finals. If we beat them it’ll be a smidgen of percentage between us.
Previous results:
2018: a late-season 14-59 loss at a cold wet Kardinia Park, with very few highlights (Bullas with 17 tackles, and Dematteoooooooooo with a 60 metre one-on-one race to goal)
2019: a slow start and differing accuracy stops us claiming our second ever win (5.9.39 lost to 7.2.44 in Colac).
If we get to add the likes of Prespakis, and Geelong don’t get to add the likes of Tess Craven (because the Falcons remain in the NAB League Girls finals)… I won’t complain.
OK… no new or returning Cannons in the 21. Boooooooooooooooooo…
But Lauren Ahrens!!! That’s a very nice inclusion. She played for us in 2019 and just won the AFLW Gold Coast B&F. She’s 182cm and while she normally plays in defence she also spent some time in the midfield for us previously. Has a big boot on her that will scare the crap out of those defending against us.
Ooooooooh ■■■■: Frew is out.
Jemma Finning is a top-ager from the Bendigo Pioneers (was emergency last week). She replaces fellow Pioneer midfielder Snell. I assume she’s been injured or otherwise indisposed as she has only played four games for them this year. Also played for Vic Country.
In the emergencies are Cannons Lennox (played two excellent games for us at CHB) and Crowley (well, I want another “real” forward and I’ve previously stated she has tricks, but she doesn’t seem to get the ball much). They’ve “hidden” Ahrens and Clifford on the bench (the latter will be keen to have a go at her old team). Fair to say that FF and CHF may be different on the day.
In:
Van De Huevel (AFLW-listed; played all 9 games this year, and 13 in previous years)
Webster (AFLW-listed; played all 9 games this year, and 10 in previous years)
Garing (AFLW-listed; played all 9 games this year, and 14 in previous years)
Remmos (AFLW-listed; 173cm, 2 games AFLW and 3 games VFLW this year)
Foley (is not on their AFLW or VFLW list; the 183cm 38yo retired last year from Adelaide AFLW, and since then she has been a Geelong ruck coach and assistant team doctor. Their usual AFL-listed ruck Rene Caris is present so not sure why they felt the need to go outside their lists.)
Out:
Pearce (4 games this year, after playing 13-16 the previous 4 years)
Fedele (7 games and 4 goals this year)
Gardiner (6 games and 4 goals this year)
Clarke (8 games and 9 goals this year – 4 of those goals were last week!)
Moloney (5 games, with a goal each week, as a midfielder)
Note that 4 of the 5 inclusions are named in crucial positions: rover, ruck-rover, FF and FB.
All of the outs are VFL-listed.
EDIT: Garing is playing her 50th game for Geelong (26 AFLW and 24 VFLW).
