AN inability to create enough entries and keep the Sherrin locked inside forward 50 has will again provide Geelong AFLW coach Paul Hood with food for thought following Sunday’s 19-point loss to the Brisbane Lions at GMHBA Stadium.
After registering 13 inside 50s in the Round 1 loss to Fremantle, the Cats could only go one better against the Lions – who had 39 – as they managed just one behind after extending their lead to 19 points just a minute into the second quarter.
The Cats also failed to take a mark inside 50 for the entire contest, while the Lions hauled in eight grabs inside the arc.
“We’ll review the game and have a really good look at whether it’s personnel or whether it’s actually our method,” he said.
“We felt even in the first half we had some opportunities to take the ball forward, and we were a little bit slow to make that decision to actually kick the ball.
“That’s something we’ll talk about and keep encouraging within the team. When we do get the ball inside 50, we’re quite dangerous at the moment.
“We’ve got to reassess and see whether we’d rather be a little bit less dangerous and keep the ball in there for a bit longer or continue with what we’re doing.
“Clearly we need to mark the ball inside 50 a little bit more. And that’s got just as much to do with how often we’re putting the ball there as who’s on the end of it.”
The loss, which leaves the Cats winless after two rounds, was further soured by an ankle injury to young defender Denby Taylor.
She was helped from the field late in the first term after landing awkwardly in a tackle, with Hood unsure of the seriousness when he faced the media post-game.
“We’re still waiting to hear from the medical staff, and there’ll be all the things that happen – the scans during the week – to see the severity of it,” Hood said.
“She’s got a sprained ankle at the moment; that’s all we really know, and we’re hoping it’s not too severe.
“It looked like it was quite painful, but ankles can be that way. Ankles can hurt a lot and then recover quickly, so we’ve got our fingers crossed and hoping it’s one Denby can recover from quickly.”
A positive for the Cats was the performance of second-gamer Millie Brown in defence.
The 19-year-old stood tall despite the barrage of ball the Lions sent forward, which resulted in direct opponent Jesse Wardlaw kicking three goals.
She finished with 18 possessions, took three marks and laid four tackles in a performance that is likely to earn her a Rising Star nomination.
“It’s never only the defender’s fault when the opposition scores a goal,” Hood said.
“Millie’s tracking along really well, and we’ll do our best to make her improve every single time she plays.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
