Geelong has locked in a top-two AFLW finish with a dominant 88-20 victory over the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night, extending its winning streak to 11 games. The win was highlighted by Jacqueline Parry's five goals in her return from injury, while former No.1 draft pick Isabel Huntington, 27, has also retired from the AFLW.
The Cats were a class above the Bulldogs, piling on seven straight goals across the first half. The result means Geelong (11-1) can finish no lower than second on the ladder, with defending premiers North Melbourne, who have the better percentage, to take on lowly Richmond on Saturday. Geelong will end a two-year finals absence in red-hot form after being rejuvenated by the arrival of flag-winning coach Mick Stinear at the end of last year.
The All-Australian and former AFLW Rising Star informed her teammates this week that the Giants' round 12 match would be the 61st and last of her career. Drafted by the Western Bulldogs with the top selection in 2017, Huntington's career was defined by resilience through a luckless run with injuries including three ACL tears. She was elected to the AFLPA board in 2022 and was a key figure, including playing a role in the negotiations of the historic 2023-2027 AFLW collective bargaining agreement. Huntington also graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science in Human Structure and Function.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Geelong's resurgence under coach Mick Stinear positions them as a serious finals contender after a two-year absence from the postseason.
- Isabel Huntington's retirement removes a key figure from the league given her role as an AFLPA board member and negotiator of the collective bargaining agreement.
- The final ladder order and playoff matchups will be determined by the remaining round 12 games, including North Melbourne's match against Richmond.
Background
The AFLW season reached round 12, the final regular-season round before the finals begin. Geelong entered the round with a 10-1 record and a chance to secure a top-two finish. The Cats had missed the finals in the previous two seasons but turned their fortunes around after hiring flag-winning coach Mick Stinear at the end of last year.
What to Watch
- North Melbourne's match against Richmond on Saturday will decide whether Geelong finishes first or second in the ladder.
- Huntington's retirement leaves a vacancy in Greater Western Sydney's leadership and may affect the club's future planning.
- Geelong's dominant form will be tested in the finals after the long winning streak, as they aim for their first premiership in this era.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedGeelong secured a top-two AFLW finish.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Geelong star Jacqueline Parry has kicked five goals on return from injury to help the Cats ruthlessly cut down the Western Bulldogs by 68 points and lock in a top-two AFLW finish.”
- SupportedGeelong beat the Western Bulldogs by 68 points.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Geelong star Jacqueline Parry has kicked five goals on return from injury to help the Cats ruthlessly cut down the Western Bulldogs by 68 points”
- SupportedIsabel Huntington retired from the AFLW at 27.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Former No.1 draft pick Isabel Huntington has retired from the AFLW at just 27.”
- SupportedGeelong extended its winning streak to 11 games.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the Cats will end their two-year absence from finals in red-hot form after extending their winning streak to 11 games.”
- SupportedJacqueline Parry kicked five goals on her return from injury.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Geelong star Jacqueline Parry has kicked five goals on return from injury”
- SupportedGeelong won 88-20 at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Cats were simply a class above the Bulldogs on Friday night, piling on seven straight goals across the first half en route to a 13.10 (88) to 3.2 (20) triumph at GMHBA Stadium.”
- SupportedGeelong scored seven consecutive goals in the first half.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “piling on seven straight goals across the first half”
- SupportedGeelong was 11-1 and could finish no lower than second on the ladder.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Geelong (11-1) can finish no lower than second on the ladder”
- SupportedNorth Melbourne had the better percentage and was to play lowly Richmond on Saturday.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “with defending premiers North Melbourne - who boast the better percentage - to take on lowly Richmond on Saturday.”
- SupportedGeelong was set to end a two-year absence from finals.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the Cats will end their two-year absence from finals in red-hot form”
- SupportedCoach Mick Stinear arrived at the end of last year and rejuvenated Geelong.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Rejuvenated by flag-winning coach Mick Stinear’s arrival at the end of last year”
- SupportedHuntington told teammates during the week that the Giants’ game that weekend would be the 61st and last of her career.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The GWS star, All-Australian and former AFLW Rising Star told teammates during the week that the Giants’ game this weekend – the 61st of her career – would be her last.”