Cats’ season on the line in crucial clash against Hawks

THE Geelong Cats’ AFLW season is on the line as the final round of the home and away season takes place this evening.

The Cats, who sit precariously in seventh equal on points with three other sides, take on Hawthorn today (Saturday, November 4) at GMHBA Stadium in a do-or-die clash with a win cementing Geelong’s place in the top eight and a return to the AFLW Finals Series.

Cats midfielder Mikayla Bowen said the focus shifted immediately to Saturday night for the side’s biggest game of the year, following the Geelong’s convincing win over Richmond a week ago.

“We’ve tried to approach each week with the mindset that each game is essentially a final, some weeks we probably lost sight of that a bit in terms of urgency, but we’re grateful we have control over our own season at this point,” Bowen said.

“There’s a lot of pressure at the moment, but our playing group thrives well under pressure, and I think that was on display against Richmond last week.

“It’s business as usual for us.”

The Hawks’ finals hopes were dashed a fortnight ago when they were defeated by the Tigers in Round 8, but they can drastically shape the final standings if they can score a win this round.

Geelong found its form in Round 9, routing Richmond by 38 points at Ikon Park on the back of a lop-sided fourth quarter in which the Cats outkicked the Tigers four goals to one.

Georgie Prespakis finished with 27 disposals and was second-to-none in the midfield, supported by Amy McDonald (22 disposals) and Nina Morrison (16 disposals).

Chloe Scheer was again at her best, proving why she is one of the most potent forwards in the competition, kicking a major and putting her submission in for this season’s Mark of the Year.

The Cats and Hawks will run out onto the Cattery under one banner as part of the AFLW’s Pride Round.

Geelong will again don its Pride guernsey as part of the round, which aims to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and its contribution to women’s football.

Bowen’s role as inclusion and diversity co-ordinator at the Cats continues to fuel her passion celebrating those in the LGBTQIA+ space.

“I’ve had no prior experience in this space before, but I have an immense passion for reaching out to diverse communities, the LGBTQIA+ community is one of them, one that I am extremely passionate about given I am a Pride member of the community myself,” Bowen said.

“I’ve always felt the hoops in general is such a strong embrace of what the club is about, and I think the Pride guernsey design was done in a way to incorporate the rainbow throughout the hoops.

“The club does a terrific job of being inclusive of anyone that joins the club, no matter their journey.”

The Cats and Hawks begin play at 5.05pm.

To purchase tickets to the game, head to ticketmaster.com.au