Annabel Johnson made her highly-anticipated AFLW debut for Geelong againt North Melbourne at Arden St on Saturday night; Johnson being one of eight Cats to make their debut.
Donning the number 30 jumper, Johnson capped a strong debut to finish the day with six touches and three marks playing out of the Cats’ defensive half.
She was supported in the engine room by Cats midfield mainstay Julia Crocket-Grills, who was never far from the coalface, coming off the bench to pick up seven disposals and four tackles while also slotting a goal.
Benalla’s Becky Webster also enjoyed an impressive start to her fourth season in the Cats’ back-half, disrupting the Roos’ attack with nine tackles — the second most of the day.
North would prove too good for the Cats, wrapping things up with two goals in the final quarter to secure the win.
Grace Egan’s third season with Carlton got off to a horrible start, with the Shepparton product breaking two ribs and puncturing a lung during the Blues’ 19-point loss to Collingwood in their season-opener.
Bonnie Toogood enjoyed a strong start to her season up forward for the Western Bulldogs, kicking one of the Dogs’ yhree goals in their loss to flag-fancy Melbourne at Whitten Oval.
Toogood managed 12 disposals at 58.3 per cent efficiency, while winning eight contested possessions.
The Dogs were mostly outplayed by the Dees, who put into practice elements of fast-paced ball-movement and precise kicking, which secured them the 24-point victory to open their account.
Fans will have to wait for the debut of exciting Shepparton United product Aurora Smith, after the prolific winger didn’t feature in the Dogs’ defeat.
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