OLIVIA Barber has used Geelong’s opening round VFLW smashing of Carlton to put her hand up for a first AFLW berth of 2022.
The talented tall hadn’t played a competitive match this year until Saturday’s 11.7 (73) to 2.2 (14) victory over the Blues at Deakin Uni.
However, Barber, who played seven AFLW games in her debut season, finished with a game-high three goals to complement 17 disposals, nine marks and 12 hitouts.
“Olivia was outstanding,” coach Andrew Bruce said. “She probably played 60-65 per cent in the ruck and was influencing all over the ground.
“She was the best of them (AFLW players).”
Reigning Geelong VFLW best-and-fairest Claudia Gunjaca will also be a chance to add to her AFLW games tally.
The 24-year-old, who played the opening three rounds before being dropped, had 16 disposals and kicked 2.3.
“Claudia gave us a contest in our forward half all game,” Bruce said.
“She kicked two goals and probably should have kicked another two considering where she got the footy.
“Danni Higgins also gave us something at half-forward. She was very clean with the footy and made good decisions.
“There was enough to give themselves to play at the higher level next week.”
Geelong had the better of Carlton in most of the major statistical categories, winning disposals 224-181, inside 50s 36-23 and clearances 27-22.
The Cats kept the Blues goalless until the second half.
“It was a pretty warm day, but their intensity around the footy was really good,” Bruce said,
“And they kept on trying to do the things that we were asking them to do; take the football off the line, and giving our forward a chance one-on-one.
“They really tried to do that through the whole game.
“The result was great, but their effort was fantastic through the whole game.”
Of the VFLW listed contingent, Sachi DeGiacomi (13 disposals, 2.1), midfielder Paige Sheppard (25 disposals, nine clearances, five tackles), and vice-captain Tamara Smith (20 disposals, 12 tackles, seven clearances) were standouts.
“Sachi played as a high forward and was just outstanding with her attack on the football and her decision-making,” Bruce said.
“It was clearly her best game for us since I’ve been involved.
“Paige and Tamara were fantastic, and Mel Bragg in her first game certainly showed she’s going to end up being a very good player if she continues on that trajectory.”
Former Geelong Falcons duo Annie Lee and Poppy Schaap, who are both on Carlton’s AFLW list, had seven and six disposals, respectively, for the Blues.
The Cats will meet Hawthorn at Deakin Uni in Round 2, with the clash likely to be Saturday as part of another double-header with the Falcons.
Twitter: @tom_king79
