Geelong have overcome the absence of suspended star Georgie Prespakis to spice up their AFLW finals hopes with an exciting one-point win over the Western Bulldogs.

Prespakis was hit with a two-match ban through the week for a harmful sort out and watched from the sidelines in Ballarat on Saturday.

However Nina Morrison and Shelley Scott stepped as much as assist propel Dan Lowther’s facet to an essential 5.7 (37) to five.6 (36) victory.

Trailing by 19 factors early within the closing quarter, the Bulldogs kicked the final three objectives of the match.

However they left their run too late, with the ultimate main floating by way of because the siren sounded.

It was the Cats’ first AFLW win over the Bulldogs and took them above their opponents on the ladder with a far superior proportion.

Either side have 4-2 win-loss data. The end result additionally stored the Cats within the top-four combine.

Morrison (21 disposals), Rebecca Webster (17) and Amy McDonald (15) discovered loads of the ball for Geelong, whereas Scott (two objectives) and Chloe Scheer (one) have been harmful in assault.

Bulldogs captain Ellie Blackburn (25 disposals) tried to carry her facet and ruck Alice Edmonds fought exhausting towards the tide..

The ball lived within the Bulldogs’ entrance half for lengthy intervals of the opening time period as they generated a 10-4 benefit in ahead entries.

However the lead was simply two factors at quarter-time when former Cats star Richelle Cranston missed her set-shot after the siren.

Scheer discovered loads of house inside-50 to place Geelong in entrance for the primary time early within the second time period.

And the Cats, who stored their opponents goalless within the second quarter, would have led by greater than seven factors on the major break if not for a string of wasted probabilities in entrance of aim.

Mia Skinner offered a spotlight with an excellent aim from the boundary line through the third quarter and Geelong appeared residence early within the fourth time period when Julia Crockett-Grills prolonged the benefit to 19 factors.

Rylie Wilcox and Deanna Berry kicked objectives to assist the Bulldogs combat their method again into the competition and Elle Bennetts’ late shot floated by way of because the siren sounded.

Each groups misplaced gamers simply earlier than the bounce when the Bulldogs’ Sarah Hartwig (neck spasms) and Geelong’s Kate Darby (sickness) withdrew.

Giants take down Blues

GWS bounced again from a document AFLW thumping with a spirited 17-point overcome Carlton at Henson Park in Sydney.

The Giants appeared decided to make amends for his or her 95-point loss to Adelaide final week with a quick begin towards the Blues, earlier than digging in late to carry on for a 4.5 (29) to 1.6 (12) victory.

The win was the Giants’ first in six makes an attempt towards Carlton and was constructed on intense stress and tackling in addition to intelligent ball motion that has been a characteristic of their higher shows this season.

Emily Pease ensured the Giants have been rewarded for his or her early efforts with the opening aim of the match and adopted up with a second shortly after, with the 20-year-old a risk within the forward-half all through.

Key ahead Cora Staunton added two extra to separate the factors in an enthralling battle with Blues defender Mua Laloifi.

However it was gun midfielder Alyce Parker that led the best way for the Giants, gathering 18 disposals that included 12 contested possessions even whereas being beneath shut consideration after the principle break.

Parker at instances performed a lone hand towards the Carlton on-ball brigade that included Mimi Hill (21 disposals, 11 contested) and Abbie McKay (21, 10) as GWS trailed 27-17 in clearances and 90-79 in contested disposals.

However whereas the Blues (1-2-3) relied closely on their benefit at stoppages the Giants appeared extra more likely to transition the ball shortly to arrange cleaner ahead 50 entries and scoring alternatives.

Tarni Evans (13 disposals) and Madison Brazendale (11) have been strong for GWS all through, whereas Georgia Garnett (17) added a spark after overcoming a hamstring harm.

Laloifi (16 disposals) copped a heavy knock from Staunton within the first time period however recovered to patrol the Carlton defence and be amongst their finest.

Kerryn Peterson (13 disposals) and Brooke Vickers (9) additionally battled exhausting however Lily Goss was missed after happening early with a shoulder harm.

AAP