AFLW exports | Webster shines as Cats register second win of season

By Zac Standish

Mar 1, 2022

Consistent performer: Benalla's Becky Webster starred for Geelong in its win over Richmond. Photo by Arj Giese Photography

Benalla’s Becky Webster was once again right in the thick of it for Geelong at the weekend, putting in a dominant performance to see the Cats to their second win of the AFLW season.

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Coming up against a Richmond side that has struggled to garner any momentum throughout the season, it was always going to be an intriguing contest at Punt Road Oval.

But a four-goal Cats blitz in the second quarter would break the game wide open, as the visitors held a strong advantage for the remainder of the day to come away 23-point winners.

A constant through the middle of the ground for Geelong all day, Webster picked up 20 disposals and kicked a crucial goal as she continues to develop into one of the competition’s most consistent performers.

She also proved to be a force defensively laying six tackles and was prominent around stoppage with three clearances.

Kyabram’s Julia Crockett-Grills provided fantastic forward pressure for the Cats, registering four tackles as she continues to grow into her role inside Geelong’s attacking arc.

Also managing to pick up eight disposals and take two marks on the day, the coaching staff would have been buoyed by her contribution to the victory.

It was a tough day for Mansfield’s Bonnie Toogood and the Western Bulldogs, falling to Collingwood by 25 points at Victoria Park.

Coming into the game as one of the form forwards of the competition, Toogood was blanketed by a stringent Collingwood defence, picking up seven disposals and only managing one behind on the day.

Despite the close checking, she did still manage to have a presence for her side, pushing up the ground and taking five marks, doing all she could to get involved and shift momentum in the Bulldogs’ favour.

The loss served as a major blow to the Dogs’ finals chances, as they now find themselves six points behind Collingwood in sixth place with four matches remaining.

Carlton made it two wins on the trot with a comprehensive 18-point triumph on the road against GWS.

Assuming her position on the wing, Shepparton’s Grace Egan was once again a force for the Blues, running hard all day to finish with 11 disposals, three marks and three tackles.

One of the major catalysts behind the Blues’ late season resurgence, Egan continues to get better each week after suffering a rib injury in the opening round.