Ruthless Cats crush Bulldogs in AFLW finals statement

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. 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 Kardinia Park. Geelong (11-1) can finish no lower than second on the ladder, with defending premiers North Melbourne — who boast the better percentage — to take on lowly Richmond on Saturday. Rejuvenated by flag-winning coach Mick Stinear's arrival at the end of last year, the Cats will end their two-year absence from finals in red-hot form after extending their winning streak to 11 games. The Bulldogs (8-4) have similarly enjoyed a change in fortunes in their third season under coach Tam Hyett, sitting sixth ahead of the weekend's games to earn their first finals berth since 2022. But Friday's result will be a crude reminder of where the Bulldogs realistically sit in the premiership race. The visitors could do little to contain Geelong's star on-ball brigade, with Georgie Prespakis controlling the tempo alongside Amy McDonald and Mikayla Bowen. Parry's five majors on return from concussion saw her surpass Sydney star Chloe Molloy (24 goals) with a league-high 26 goals this season, while young gun Chantal Mason kicked three. There was no hero to spark the comeback for the Bulldogs, with experienced midfielder Ellie Blackburn rested ahead of finals. Co-captain Deanna Berry was playing in her first game since round two, but her lone goal in the third quarter — which was the final score for the Bulldogs — was not enough. Berry had struggled to break back into the side after being sidelined for a month with a collarbone injury earlier this season. Cats forward Parry wasted no time in making her return known and drew first blood within the opening minute. The Bulldogs went coast-to-coast to find an immediate response through a Rylie Wilcox goal, only for the visitors to then lose their way. Geelong soared to a 20-point lead at the first break after taking 86 disposals to the visitors' 41, and 11 forward entries to just two in the first quarter. The gulf between the Cats and the Bulldogs became more apparent, with the hosts building to a 44-point lead at half-time en route to victory. AAP