GEELONG AFLW coach Paul Hood has been left to rue his team’s lack of composure with the football after being handed a 62-point hiding to open the 2021 AFLW season at GMHBA Stadium.
The Cats were held to their second-lowest score and narrowly avoided becoming just the second team to be held goalless in the competition’s short history in the loss to North Melbourne, 11.5 (71) to 1.3 (9).
“We weren’t clean enough with our first possession, and it meant there was a lot of pressure on us when we got the football,” Hood said.
“And North Melbourne themselves were very, very clean, as you could see, and we ended up chasing them for a lot longer than we like to.
Geelong’s pressure to start the contest was at an acceptable level, and the Cats created a handful of inside 50 opportunities as a result.
But once ruck Emma King kicked the first of her three opening-quarter goals at the five-minute mark to get North Melbourne started, there was only going to be one result at the end of the day.
“We would have liked to have kicked a goal bit earlier and settled and relaxed and worked our way into the game,” Hood said.
“That’s something we’ll discuss in the review.
“But, as a group that is continuing to grow their game, we’re on playing the next 30 seconds in front of us, and we didn’t get that mentality right at times today.”
Among the Cats’ positives was the creation of 25 inside 50s, which was an area that Hood’s team struggled at times in 2020.
However, their first score didn’t come until three minutes into the final term, when reigning best-and-fairest Olivia Purcell missed a running shot at goal.
Phoebe McWilliams and Denby Taylor also missed opportunities to kick the first goal.
Veteran big Aasta O’Connor spared Geelong ignominy of being held goalless when a set shot bounced through thanks to a shepherd in the goal square at 15-minute mark.
“We need to be more stable behind the ball when we go inside forward 50,” Hood said.
“And we need to put more pressure on the opposition’s rebounding defenders so that we get a chance to catch-up to the footy.”
Hood was also impressed by the form of small defender Amy McDonald, who finished with a team-high 18 disposals, of which 11 were contested.
“Amy had a terrific day, and she was one of the players who had an influence through all four quarters,” Hood said
“We’re really pleased with her growth and looking forward to a great season from her.”
Forward Maddi Boyd (elbow) was the only injury concern for Geelong.
The Cats’ next assignment is a trip to Brisbane for a clash with the Lions next Sunday at Hickey Park in suburban Stafford.
Twitter: @tom_king79
