A STUNNING display of ball-gathering from Laura Gardiner has inspired Geelong to a 33-point win over Port Melbourne at North Port Oval.
A week after equalling the VFLW record for disposals of 39 in the loss to the Casey Demons, Gardiner went about smashing it against the Borough in the 7.8 (50) to 2.5 (17) victory.
The AFLW-listed midfielder collected 49 possessions, consisting of 27 kicks and 22 handballs.
Gardiner also had ten clearances, took six marks and laid three tackles.
“They’re pretty outrageous numbers,” coach Andrew Bruce told Bay 93.9’s The Sideline View.
“Her workrate was amazing, and she kept on getting herself to contest after contest.
“She’s a player in her second year on the AFLW list who is continuing to develop, and I think she’s going to be a remarkable player in the end.”
Geelong’s win has it two games and 42.9% clear of seventh-placed Collingwood with four rounds to play.
Despite the margin, Bruce wasn’t entirely satisfied with the performance.
“I actually think we played better last week than this week,” he said.
“The opposition allowed us to get away with a bit more this week.
“It was really pleasing for the girls to have a win … but we always look to be better as well.”
Fellow midfielders Paige Sheppard and Tamara Smith continued their impressive campaigns with 24 disposals apiece.
Mia Skinner was the Cats’ only multiple goalkicker with two, while Geelong Falcons duo Keeley Hardingham and Kara Stacey kicked their first goals as Cats.
Geelong faces North Melbourne at Arden Street as part of a VFL/VFLW double-header involving the Cats and the Roos next Sunday.
Twitter: @tom_king79
