A depleted Geelong team overcame a significant injury setback to secure a seven-point victory against Gold Coast at Carrara on Sunday. The Cats played most of the second half with only two players on the bench after losing Emma Kilpatrick (shoulder), Priya Bowering (ankle), and Piper Dunlop (knee) to injuries during the match.

Despite trailing by 14 points in the third quarter, Geelong rallied to narrow the deficit to a single point early in the final term. The home side appeared poised to overtake the visitors, but Geelong responded with three consecutive goals to regain control. Gold Coast fought back with two goals, but Chloe Scheer’s third goal of the game sealed a 10.4 (64) to 8.9 (57) win for the Cats.

Geelong midfielder Georgie Prespakis was influential, finishing with 33 disposals—22 contested—along with nine tackles and eight clearances. Prespakis commented on the challenge of injuries, emphasizing the importance of focusing on controllable elements and sticking to the team's game plan. Nina Morrison also contributed significantly, recording 21 touches, seven tackles, and a goal that helped maintain momentum.

For the Suns, Charlie Rowbottom had an impressive performance tallying 39 disposals, including 15 contested possessions. Havana Harris was a key figure in attack, securing three goals from 20 possessions and taking five marks. Gold Coast dominated territorial advantage, winning inside-50s 42 to 28, but struggled with efficiency in front of goal, a factor that ultimately cost them the match.

The result marked a hard-fought victory for Geelong under challenging circumstances, showcasing the team’s resilience and ability to adapt despite injury setbacks. Gold Coast will be left to reflect on missed opportunities in their forward line despite their strong ground performance.