Cats aim to tame Tigers in big AFLW clash

THE Geelong Cats’ season hangs in the balance with only two matches remaining in the AFL season.

With a spot in the top eight on the line, the Cats head up the highway to Ikon Park to take on the Richmond Tigers tomorrow (Saturday, October 28).

Geelong has defeated Richmond in two of their last three encounters and will be hoping for a repeat in their bid to reach back-to-back finals series.

The Cats suffered a narrow loss at the hands of Collingwood at the weekend, going down by six points in wet and woolly conditions at Victoria Park.

Georgie Prespakis kept up her stellar form by amassing 26 disposals, eight tackles and eight clearances, while Amy McDonald laid 14 tackles and had 18 disposals.

Julia Crockett-Grills was also amongst the best players in her 50th league game and Nina Morrison was prolific in the middle to try to pull her side over the line.

Cats AFLW coach Dan Lowther said his side were disappointed with their performance, particularly in the early stages of the game.

“It took three quarters to find the urgency required against a good team in tough conditions.

It was a tough opening quarter with the breeze being so strong and we found it hard to clear the back 50.

“The ball just kept coming back the other way and our marking and ground ball representation was a bit hit and miss.

“We got the looks late in the match, which was pleasing, but to go down by a goal in the end was disappointing.”

The Cats head into this weekend’s clash having not beaten a top eight side this season.

“It gives us more motivation to prove ourselves around the what ifs of the post season,” Lowther added.

“We haven’t talked at all this year about playing finals, but of course you want to.

“The messaging to the group was ‘Great last quarter’ and if we can do it consistently against most of the teams for more of the game, then we’ll go okay.”

This Saturday’s match kicks off at 7.15pm.