AFLW 2025: Hawthorn defeat Geelong Cats, AFLW results, schedule, matches, where to watch, Kardinia Park, AFLW ladder

Hawthorn weathered its own early inaccuracy troubles to end Geelong’s three-game winning streak on their home turf at Kardinia Park on Thursday night.

The Hawks trailed by four points at three quarter time despite boasting +12 inside 50s chances, before making the most of their opportunities down the stretch to hold out for a 5.5 (35) to 6.6 (42) win.

After playing out one of the all-time great AFLW games last year, this year’s edition paled in comparison but still saw both teams determined to boast their attacking brands of football with a similar running game.

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While the chains came undone at time as the heat of the contest sped up the game up, the Cats made more of their chances forward early – kicking 4.2 to 2.4 from two less inside 50s entries in the opening half – as star Hawk Aine McDonagh missed two prime chances off set shots before finally converting in the third term.

It seemed the spark the Hawks needed, Mikayla Williamson soon turning it into a four-point game before the final break when she intercepted a Cats defensive kick out before slotting a tight set shot from the left pocket.

McDonagh netted her second goal within the minute of the final term, before Kristy Stratton nailed a tight angle shot from the left pocket in what turned out to be the game-winning goal to move the Hawks to 6-1.

Battle of the midfields

The Cats and Hawks both boast big names through their midfields, with Cats tall Kate Darby a welcome return from injury to give Piper Dunlop a chop out in ruck to better the more experienced Steph Wales in hit-outs, though Wales proved more influential for her work around the ground.

While it seemed like Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Amy McDonald had the better of the battle in the first half, it was the emergence of Jasmine Fleming in the second half in support of Emily Bates and Eliza West which saw the Hawks dominate the clearance and inside 50 game.

Cats’ forwards threaten

Moloney and Parry continued their strong form as the Cats’ main forward threats, combining for four goals within the first three quarters.

Moloney read the ball well on both occasions to get behind her defender and run into an open goalsquare, while Parry got her first midway through the second when, also reading the bounce of the ball well, pushed her opponent off balance before weaving around a second Hawk to snap truly on her right boot.

Parry added her second early in the third, though both missed chances – Parry early and Moloney in the final term – which proved costly.

The Hawks missed lockdown defender Emily Everist, with Moloney getting the better of Mackenzie Eardley at times, though made up for it with the strong defensive work of Tamara Smith, Jenna Richardson and Tilly Lucas-Rodd.

Cat puts afterburners on

While the Hawks threw the first punch with a Greta Bodey goal, the Cats quickly levelled when Moloney pounced on a midfield intercept before swinging on her boot and kicking into a wide open inside 50.

From there it was a footrace for Geelong tall utility Erica Fowler and Richardson, with the former having a few metres advantage to get there first and soccer through an open goalsquare for her first goal in hoops – and just third in her 52 game career- after joining the Cats this year after 46 games at Collingwood.

Fowler’s speed – despite her 180cm frame – proved a weapon, a rundown tackle later in the game unlucky not to draw the 33-year-old a free kick.