GEELONG has overcome some third quarter jitters to beat Collingwood by 19 points and secure a home VFLW final.
Leading by 23 points at half-time after keeping the Magpies scoreless in the opening two quarters at Olympic Park Oval, the Cats’ lead was cut to just five at the final change.
However, Andrew Bruce’s charges were able to steady and claim a 6.9 (45) to 4.2 (26) victory.
“In the third quarter, we went right away from what we wanted to do and how we wanted to play, and dropped our effort and didn’t play as a team,” he said.
“We let Collingwood back into the game, which we should never have done.
“But, we were able to rectify it in the last quarter, which was pleasing.”
Bruce said the margin should have been greater at half-time.
“Our pressure was right up from the start, and we were making really good decisions with the footy from defence and through the middle of the ground,” he said.
“We just didn’t finish off in the first half. We were 3.5 at half-time from 25 inside 50s.
“We should have had a lot more score on the board, but we weren’t finishing with that last kick.
“That was a bit of a focus for us at half-time, but we went away from everything else, which was disappointing.”
Paige Sheppard produced another impressive midfield performance, gathering 24 disposals and taking five marks.
Geelong Falcons graduate Mia van Dyke was solid in defence, while AFLW-listed ruck Rene Caris made a key contribution.
The Cats have two weeks to prepare for the Southern Saints in an elimination final at Deakin Uni on Queen’s Birthday weekend.
“This week is very much about just trying to get the girls moving,” Bruce said.
“We’ve got some really sore girls, and the bye’s come at a nice time for us.”
Tamara Smith, Maddy Boyd, Madisen Maguire and Chloe Leonard, who was was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s clash, will all return to take on the Saints.
Twitter: @tom_king79
COLLINGWOOD 0.0, 0.0, 3.1, 4.2 (26)
GEELONG 2.1, 3.5, 3.6, 6.9 (45)
Goals: Geelong: Sachi DeGiacomi, Breanna Pratt, Emily Ramsay, Paige Scott, Mia Skinner, Rene Caris
Geelong: Mia Van Dyke, Paige Sheppard, Player, Breanna Pratt, Sachi Degiacomi, Elise Coventry
