Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Geelong have a new coach, fresh ambitions and a familiar foe to start the AFLW season.
The Cats, under new boss Mick Stinear, will face the two-time reigning premiers to kick off Saturday’s double header at Marvel Stadium.
In round one last year, Geelong went with North for three quarters but were blown away in the last – and the Cats want to show they can do better.
“We love playing North,” co-captain Becky Webster told AAP.
“To be fair, like we’ve always matched up with them quite well in the past, and we always seem to play them either round one or round two.
“So to be playing them at Marvel Stadium and in a double header with the Geelong boys playing after us as well is really really special and something that we’re really looking forward to.
“It’s always a great rivalry.”
Inaugural Demons coach Stinear departed Melbourne, who he led for 10 seasons to join the Cats over the off-season.
“It’s been awesome to be fair,” Webster said.
“We’ve been super lucky to have Mick come through with his expertise – and his past with Melbourne has been amazing.
“Mick’s the best of the best, really. So to have him come through and really set what he wants to see for an unmistakably Geelong way has been great.”
The Cats have finals footy on the mind, as do Monique Conti’s Tigers.
On Saturday, Richmond will unveil No.1 draft pick Olivia Wolmarans against Collingwood, with star midfielder Conti excited by the tall forward.
“She’s an extremely talented player,” Conti said on Friday.
“She’s tall. She’s good at ground level. She’s agile. She’s fast. She can take hangers.
“I’m really looking forward to see what she can do this season. Super special player and super pumped for her too.”
On Saturday evening, Gold Coast play the Western Bulldogs.
Sunday is a bumper day with Adelaide hosting Sydney, Essendon playing the Brisbane Lions, Fremantle taking on Port Adelaide and GWS hosting West Coast.
Bombers skipper Bonnie Toogood wants to prove a point against consistent contenders Brisbane.
“They came down last year, and they beat us and we didn’t like that,” Toogood told AAP.
“We don’t like losing at Windy Hill and really excited for the spectacle that it could be round one.
“It is a great opportunity for us to really make a statement at the start of the season and all the work that we’ve done – what we’ve changed, and tweaked and highlighted as our strengths, we’ve done so in the pre-season.
“So a great opportunity against one of the best sides in the comp to really attack it and play some good footy.”
