GEELONG has set a couple of unwanted records in its 78-point VFLW loss to Essendon at Deakin University on Sunday.
The losing margin was the greatest the Cats have been beaten by since joining the competition in 2017, and the Bombers’ final score of 13.11 (89) was the biggest conceded by Geelong.
“They’re a very good side; there’s no doubt about that,” Cats coach Andrew Bruce said.
“We were really disappointed with our workrate and effort from our group, which allowed them to have all that possession.
“They moved the ball really well. It wasn’t if they were doing little short handbells or anything like that and racking up possessions.
“They had really good system.”
After a scrappy first quarter in which Essendon kicked the only two goals, the visitors then took charge of the contest by kicking 3.4 to 1.1 in the second term to lead by 28 points at the main break.
Any hopes of a Cats comeback were snuffed out by a three-goal-to-nil third quarter.
The Bombers’ dominance was reflected in several key statistical areas, winning the disposal count 323-203, marks 61-35, and the inside 50s 43-23.
“We had a big push this week about our pressure, which we did really well for the first quarter,” Bruce said.
“But, the Bombers certainly did that for four quarters.
“We moved the ball well at times but not consistently enough, and we didn’t get enough of it.”
Further compounding Geelong’s woes were injuries to AFLW-listed midfielder Zali Friswell (ankle) and vice-captain Chloe Leonard (chest).
“Zali went down in the third quarter, and it’s just a rolled ankle, hopefully,” Bruce said.
“Chloe came off in the last quarter. She’d played a super role for us and had hurt herself in the third quarter and pushed on.
“It just got the better of her late in the last quarter.”
Laura Gardiner battled hard for the Cats to finish with 28 disposals and 10 clearances, while the consistent Tamara Smith finished with 20 disposals.
However, only six Geelong players finished with 10 or more disposals.
The Cats, who have fallen to sixth on the ladder, will look to snap a three-game losing streak when it meets the winless Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval on Sunday.
Twitter: @tom_king79
