Geelong forward Jackie Parry is confident the Cats have enough forward firepower to cover the absence of leading goalkicker Chole Scheer in Sunday’s semi-final meeting with Melbourne.
Scheer was forced from the ground during the first quarter of Geelong’s elimination final victory over Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday, with scans later revealing a hairline fracture of the collarbone.
The former Adelaide star kicked an early goal in the win over the Bombers to take her season tally to 19, just one behind Demons duo Kate Hore and Eden Zanker.
The matchup with Melbourne will be only the second game Scheer has been sidelined since arriving at the club ahead of the first of the 2022 seasons.
“We’re really devastated for Scheery,” Parry told K rock Football. “She’s a big part of our team and our leading goal scorer.
“But, I think it’s been a whole forward effort this year.
“And when she went off the ground, I don’t think we changed anything; we kept playing our role, and we hit the scoreboard pretty well on the weekend.
“Hopefully, we can lift her for her and reassess her injury if we get to play again the following weekend.”
Parry is Geelong’s second-leading goalkicker with 13 for the season and will need to contribute in Scheer’s absence if Geelong is to advance to a preliminary final meeting against the Brisbane Lions.
The former Demon is embracing that expectation.
“There’s always going to be a bit of pressure as a forward hitting the scoreboard, especially in a final,” Parry said.
“But, I have a lot of good forwards around me that will even out the pressure a little bit.
“I think if we’re all out there together and somebody’s scoring and others are helping others score, it will be a team effort.”
Aishling Moloney was a standout against Essendon, finishing with two goals from an equal career-high 14 disposals.
Parry is backing the Irish star to have an impact against Melbourne, who Moloney kicked three goals against in Round 5.
“It’s pretty unbelievable to think what she’s achieved in her first season, even with a short pre-season,” Parry said.
“I’m really excited to see what she can bring.
“Not just this weekend but for the next few years of her career.”
Geelong has included four players on an extended bench for Sunday’s match.
Experienced big Kate Darby looms as the likely replacement for Scheer after serving a one-week suspension for an incident in the final-round win over Hawthorn.
Gabbi Featherson, Brooke Plummer, and uncapped Irish recruit Anna-Rose Kennedy are also in the squad.
AFLW SEMI-FINAL
Melbourne (2nd) vs. Geelong (6th)
IKON Park – Sunday, 19 November, 3:05pm
GEELONG
B: 26. Claudia Gunjaca, 16. Chantel Emonson
HB: 21. Rebecca Webster, 11. Meghan McDonald (c), 10. Georgie Rankin
C: 1. Mikayla Bowen, 41. Georgie Prespakis, 9. Nina Morrison
HF: 12. Renee Garing, 5. Jackie Parry, 7. Kate Surman
F: 45. Aishlng Moloney, 15. Shelley Scott
R: 46. Erin Hoare, 3. Amy McDonald, 6. Julia Crockett-Grills
I/C (from): 8. Kate Darby, 22. Rachel Kearns, 20. Zali Friswell, 4. Darcy Moloney, 44. Melissa Bragg, 32. Gabbi Featherston, 19. Brooke Plummer, 18. Anna-Rose Kennedy
In: Kate Darby, Gabbi Featherston, Brooke Plummer, Anna-Rose Kennedy
Out: Chloe Scheer (injured)
New: Anna-Rose Kennedy (Tipperary – LGFA)
