Kate Surman celebrates a goal during the AFLW R1 match between Geelong and Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on September 2, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

MOVING on from a heartbreaking two-point finals series loss in season seven, Geelong has begun the new campaign in style with a 48-point win over an injury-ridden Western Bulldogs.

The Cats dominated the Bulldogs on Saturday, running out 10.5 (65) to 2.5 (17) victors at GHMBA Stadium in front of 4404 fans.

CATS v DOGS Full match coverage and stats

Georgie Prespakis (34 disposals,10 clearances,12 tackles) and Amy McDonald (28, nine, 12) were crucial in the midfield, helping the Cats to 35 inside-50s to the Bulldogs' 27.

Former Melbourne player Jacqueline Parry kicked the opening two majors for Geelong, with Gaelic football convert Aishling Moloney scoring a goal on her AFLW debut.

00:24

Parry party as third piles on more pain

Jackie Parry delivers this brilliant finish to give herself a hat-trick of majors

Club debutant Kate Surman also grabbed two majors, with McDonald, Nina Morrison, Chloe Scheer and Darcy Moloney booting one each.

"It's been absolutely amazing. I don't know if I've settled in ... you have to be patient with this game," Aishling Moloney told Fox Footy post-match.

05:30

AFLW Highlights: Geelong v Western Bulldogs

The Cats and Bulldogs clash in round one of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

"It's a game of chaos as I'm told, so you just need to embrace the chaos.

"This game is just unbelievable ... I know my parents are watching back home. To have them sitting back and watching me, that's what dreams are made of."

Aishling Moloney marks the ball during the round one AFLW match between Geelong and Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on September 2, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

The Bulldogs went goalless in the first half, unable to answer five majors from the Cats despite an immense effort by All-Australian ruck Alice Edmonds (32 hitouts).

Skipper Ellie Blackburn (27 disposals, five clearances) and Kirsty Lamb (14 disposals, two clearances) were prolific for the Bulldogs but unable to quell the midfield threat posed by the surging Prespakis and McDonald.

The Bulldogs' midfield faced a further setback in the second quarter with Dominique Carruthers (eight disposals) subbed off injured.

Defender Elle Bennetts is another injury worry for the Bulldogs, having spent considerable time on the ground with suspected anterior cruciate ligament damage after a mid-air clash with Parry.

00:42

Dogs' woes continue as Bennetts goes down

Elle Bennetts looks to have injured her knee following this incident at the conclusion of the second quarter

Sarah Hartwig kicked the Bulldogs' only goals, putting her side on the board in the last five minutes of the third quarter before being subbed off in the final quarter with a potential corked thigh.

01:04

Hartwig's double delight breaks Dogs' drought

Sarah Hartwig makes her presence felt up forward as she nails her side's first two majors of the match

Geelong's 65 points on Saturday is the highest it has recorded in five meetings with the Bulldogs, surpassing its previous best of 37 from last season.

Up Next
Geelong goes on the road to take on Sydney next Saturday, while the Bulldogs host Hawthorn at Mars Stadium in Ballarat on Sunday.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:36

    Morrison's ripper caps off super Cats start

    Nina Morrison snags this brilliant goal just before the quarter-time siren to give her side a handy cushion

    AFLW
  • 00:33

    Pumped-up Scheer steers it from long range

    Amy Scheer lets out a roar after delivering this superb finish to add to her side's hot start

    AFLW
  • 00:42

    Dogs' woes continue as Bennetts goes down

    Elle Bennetts looks to have injured her knee following this incident at the conclusion of the second quarter

    AFLW
  • 01:04

    Hartwig's double delight breaks Dogs' drought

    Sarah Hartwig makes her presence felt up forward as she nails her side's first two majors of the match

    AFLW
  • 00:24

    Parry party as third piles on more pain

    Jackie Parry delivers this brilliant finish to give herself a hat-trick of majors

    AFLW
  • 05:30

    AFLW Highlights: Geelong v Western Bulldogs

    The Cats and Bulldogs clash in round one of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
  • 03:57

    AFLW full post-match, R1: Cats

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round one's match against Western Bulldogs

    AFLW
  • 03:59

    AFLW full post-match, R1: Bulldogs

    Watch Western Bulldogs' press conference after round one's match against Geelong

    AFLW
  • 10:23

    AFLW Mini-Match: Geelong v Western Bulldogs

    Extended highlights of the Cats and Bulldogs clash in round one of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW

GEELONG     3.1       5.3       6.3       10.5 (65)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     0.0       0.4       2.5       2.5 (17)

GOALS
Geelong: Parry 3, Surman 2, Morrison, Scheer, A.Moloney, A.McDonald, D.Moloney
Western Bulldogs: Hartwig 2

BEST 
Geelong: Prespakis, A.McDonald, Parry, Morrison, D.Moloney, Crocket-Grills
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Edmonds, Fitzgerald, Lynch, Hartwig

INJURIES 
Geelong: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Bennetts (knee), Carruthers (TBC), Hartwig (thigh)

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Rylie Wilcox (illness) replaced in selected side by Maggie Gorham

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 4404 at GMHBA Stadium