A five-goal, final-quarter blitz from Geelong has unravelled the Southern Saints' hopes of a third consecutive win, resulting in an 11-point loss at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday morning.
The Saints held the Cats to just one goal in the first three quarters, but were ultimately overrun in the fourth as the Cats claimed a 6.10 (46) to 5.5 (35) victory.
Windy conditions by the bay resulted in wayward kicking for Geelong early on, who netted eight behinds from nine scoring shots in the second quarter alone.
But the Cats found their radar in the final moments of the game, piling on five unanswered majors in the final term - four of which were kicked in the last seven minutes - to leave the Saints in their wake.
Molly McDonald (18 disposals, seven tackles), Alice Burke (20 disposals, five tackles) were among the Saints' best, while a hard-hitting Claudia Whitfort (13 disposals, 10 tackles) continued to provide an early impact by jagging the first goal of the game.
It's the second time in three weeks that Whitfort has registered her side's opening major.
VFLW-listed Saints Tara Bohanna (one goal, eight hit-outs) and Hannah Stuart (17 disposals, five tackles) were also influential across the morning, while Alexandra Hynes ousted the Cats' dual-ruck combination with 29 hit-outs.
An ankle injury to Renee Saulitis added to the Saints' troubles on their home deck, with the extent of the injury yet to be determined.
The Southern Saints now sit sixth on the ladder at 5-6 heading into Round 12.
Dale Robinson's side will host the Western Bulldogs at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday 23 May, with the opening bounce pencilled in for 12:00pm.
SOUTHERN SAINTS 2.0 2.0 4.3 5.5 (35)
GEELONG 0.2 1.10 1.10 6.10 (46)
GOALS
Southern Saints: De Angelis 2, Whitfort, Bohanna, Jordan
Geelong: Cranston 2, Barber, Johnson, Clarke, Gunjaca
BEST
Southern Saints: McDonald, De Angelis, Hynes, Stuart, Bohanna, Burke
Geelong: Smith, Van De Heuvel, Leonard, Beckley, Webster, Sheppard
