Parry kicks five as Geelong secure top-two AFLW finish
The Cats beat the Western Bulldogs by 68 points at GMHBA Stadium, extending their winning streak to 11 games ahead of a return to finals.
Geelong have guaranteed themselves a place in the AFLW’s top two after beating the Western Bulldogs 13.10 (88) to 3.2 (20), with Jacqueline Parry contributing five goals on her return from concussion.
The Cats’ 11th consecutive victory took their record to 11-1. They will return to finals after missing the past two years, while the Bulldogs sit sixth at 8-4 ahead of the remaining weekend matches.
Parry moved to 26 goals for the season, taking the league lead ahead of Sydney’s Chloe Molloy on 24. Chantal Mason added three goals for Geelong, whose midfield was led by Georgie Prespakis, Amy McDonald and Mikayla Bowen.
The Bulldogs answered Parry’s opening-minute goal through Rylie Wilcox but trailed by 20 points at quarter-time. Geelong recorded 86 disposals and 11 forward entries in the opening term, compared with the visitors’ 41 disposals and two entries. By half-time, the margin had reached 44 points.
Western Bulldogs co-captain Deanna Berry returned for her first appearance since Round 2 after a collarbone injury earlier in the season. Her third-quarter goal proved to be her side’s last score. Experienced midfielder Ellie Blackburn was rested before the Bulldogs’ first finals campaign since 2022.
