GEELONG’S inability to take its chances has proven costly as it fell to a 16-point loss to Port Melbourne at Deakin Uni on Saturday.
The Cats kicked 3.5, while the Richmond-aligned Borough were more accurate in front of goal, finishing with 6.3.
Final numbers will be confirmed on Monday morning, but Geelong coach Andrew Bruce expects they will reveal his team had more inside 50s than their opponents.
“I would be surprised if they didn’t,” he said.
“But they got the ball in some positions they were going to score from a little bit easier.
“They kicked a couple from the boundary, too, which also helps.”
Despite the margin getting out to as much as 23 points, Bruce never felt Geelong was out of the contest.
“They’re a very good side, and after four rounds, they’re on top, and deservedly so,” he said.
“But the application from our girls couldn’t be questioned; they were really good.
“Port Melbourne just finished better than us; that’s the reality of it all.”
In just her fourth game, midfielder Annabel Johnson stood out for Geelong.
“She was just outstanding with her ball usage and her hardness,” Bruce said.
“For someone with such limited footy (experience), she’s going well.”
AFLW-listed big Maddie Boyd also did all she could after being thrust into the ruck role with Olivia Fuller unavailable and Lucy Martin a late withdrawal on the morning of the match.
“It came down to Boydy to do most of the work with Michelle Fedele, and she performed really well,” Bruce said.
Theresia Meissner and Breanna Pratt also battled hard in defence, while captain Fedele finished with two goals.
AFLW-listed Georgia Clarke, who was dropped following the Cats’ loss to West Coast last week, suffered a rolled ankle but shouldn’t miss any games.
Geelong will play its first away game of the season next Saturday against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval.
Twitter: @tom_king79
PORT MELBOURNE 1.2, 3.2, 4.3, 6.3 (39)
GEELONG 0.1, 1.1, 1.4, 3.5 (23)
Goals: Port Melbourne: S. Locke 3, P. Monohan, C. Saxon-Jones, A. Edmonds Geelong: M. Fedele 2, S. Williams
Best: Port Melbourne: C. Dyett, S. Sansonetti, S. Locke, H. McLaren, C. Bromage, P. Peschke Geelong: A. Johnson, M. Boyd, T. Meissner, M. Fedele, G. Clarke, B. Pratt
