Barring an extraordinary result on the final day of the AFLW season, Geelong will host a home elimination final for the second consecutive year.
The Cats all locked away sixth spot on the ladder with a 40-point win over Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, 9.6 (60) to 3.2 (20).
The only thing stopping Geelong from playing one of Essendon, Sydney, St Kilda or Collingwood next weekend is the Swans, Saints, or Magpies having massive wins that would boost their percentage by between 40 and 46 per cent to overhaul the Cats.
Geelong’s most likely opponent is Essendon, with Sydney needing to beat Fremantle and find 5.2 per cent to climb into the seventh spot.
St Kilda and Collingwood would need to improve 10.1 and 12.2 per cent, respectively, and have results go their way to be the Cats’ opponent.
In front of 3658 people, Geelong started slowly, leading the Hawks by just six points at quarter time.
However, two goals in the second term and three apiece in the third and final quarters capped another consistent performance.
“It was always going to be a hard slog to start with,” coach Daniel Lowther said.
“After quarter time, the urgency to play the same way we did the last couple of weeks, and to get through that pressure point, and have the composure piece to find the outside release players and get the ball forward, was promising.’
“It was good to get some score on the board.
“But, to Hawthorn’s credit, they defended really well.
“The amount of intercept marks got me a little frustrated, to be fair.”
Georgie Prespakis’ All-Australian-worthy home-and-away season was capped by a 35-disposal performance, with Nina Morrison also influential with 34 disposals, including 25 handballs and a goal.
Chloe Scheer will go close to joining Prespakis in the All-Australian team, kicking three goals to take her season tally to 18, just two behind leading goalkickers, Melbourne duo Eden Zanker and Kate Hore.
Becky Webster (24 disposals and a goal) and the retirement-bound Renee Garing (17 disposals and 11 tackles) were also important.
The only injury concern heading into the finals is veteran forward Shelley Scott, who was a late withdrawal with a hamstring concern.
