GEELONG fans lamenting the current downturn in the club’s women’s football program’s fortunes have something to smile about following a win in the VFLW competition.
The Cats were too good for Williamstown, keeping the visitors to just two goals for the afternoon in a 40-point win at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.
Coach Andrew Bruce impressed with the way Geelong moved the ball on the vast expanses of Deakin.
“We had some really nice play out of our backline where we switched the ball and took it the length of the ground to score, which is really pleasing,” he told bay93.9’s The Sideline View.
“That’s the way we want to play, and we train to do those type of things.
“I’m really happy with the way the girls are moving the footy.”
After being dropped from the AFLW team, Stephanie Williams kicked two goals to put her hand up for a quick return to the top flight, while Georgia Clarke and Maddie Boyd also worked hard.
Boyd shouldered most of the ruck load after Olivia Fuller suffered a back injury early in the contest.
However, it was the VFLW contingent that impressed for Geelong, with Claudia Gunjaca, Breanna Pratt, Paige Sheppard and Theresia Meissner all having an impact.
“Williamstown fought it out strongly, and it was a real physical contest, and it was hard for our girls to get some flow in their play at different times,” Bruce said.
“But when we did, we managed to give ourselves some scoring opportunities, which was really good.”
Geelong is due to host St Kilda affiliate Southern Saints at Deakin Uni next Saturday as part of a double-header with the Geelong Falcons, who host the Sydney Swans Academy.
Twitter: @tom_king79
GEELONG 2.2, 4.3, 5.6, 7.10 (52)
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 2.0 (12)
Goals: Geelong: S. Williams 2, J. Woollett, S. Elsworthy, G. Clarke, M. Fedele, C. Gunjaca. Williamstown: A. Melnikas, S. Long.
Best: Geelong: C. Gunjaca, G. Clarke, B. Pratt, P. Sheppard, T. Meissner, T. Smith. Williamstown: E. Meade, A. Whelan, T. Merrett, L. King, C. Leighton.
