GUTSY Geelong has defeated Gold Coast by seven points at People First Stadium on Sunday despite finishing the match with just two fit players on the bench.

By early in the third quarter the Cats had lost Emma Kilpatrick, Priya Bowering and Piper Dunlop to injury, but showed terrific grit to win 10.4 (64) to 8.9 (57) in an entertaining contest.

SUNS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

Leading by 13 points at the final change, Geelong's margin was cut to one within minutes, but they steadied with a mature performance to win for a second straight week.

Georgie Prespakis was magnificent, finishing with 33 disposals to be a dominant midfield force, as was Mikayla Bowen, whose 25 touches and 12 tackles were instrumental in victory in her 75th match.

Forward of the ball, Chloe Scheer (three goals) was excellent, kicking a clutch final-quarter goal to halt Gold Coast's momentum, while Emma Murray chipped in with two goals.

Following their big win over West Coast last week, the Suns were again full of dare and endeavour despite falling short.

Anne Hatchard (28) played her best game for her new club while Charlie Rowbottom (39 touches) was also prolific.

Again though, it was the youngsters that caught the eye, with Havana Harris (three goals from 20) and Ava Usher (two goals from 12) that breathed life into the game in the final term.

Each of the young stars kicked early goals to give the home team a chance, but despite being down on troops, the Cats were resolute and deserved victory.

Gold Coast brought the defensive heat from the opening minutes, and it came as no surprise that a tackle inside forward 50 was the source of its first goal.

Following five goals and a Telstra AFLW Rising Star nomination last week, Alannah Welsh executed a perfect tackle, won a holding-the-ball decision, and then converted with a clever checkside to open the scoring.

Geelong clawed its way back into the match and got within two points at the first change on the back of an extraordinary Aishling Moloney goal in which she accurately kicked the ball back over her head from 30m.

The Cats gained the ascendency early in the second quarter as Prespakis began to dominate in the contest, with goals to Julia Crockett-Grills and Rachel Kearns giving them the lead.

Harris and Lily Quigley answered before the main break to give the hosts a four-point advantage.

Cats' horror day with injuries
Geelong played all-but the first few minutes one down when Emma Kilpatrick left the field with a dislocated shoulder. Things would only get worse for the Cats. Priya Bowering was off before half-time with a foot problem and in the early stages of the third quarter it was Piper Dunlop that went down clutching her left knee after a heavy collision.

Ava and Havana – the dynamic duo
We saw another example of why Gold Coast has such a bright future with Havana Harris and Ava Usher again shining bright despite the loss. Harris was an absolute handful inside 50, kicking three goals from 20 disposals that included five marks. Usher, in just her third game, showed her blistering speed to shut down opponents defensively and then get involved offensively to kick two goals from 12 touches and execute five tackles. They could very quickly turn into the League's next dynamic duo.

Up next
Geelong will try to make it three wins in succession when it hosts Essendon next Sunday from 2.35pm AEST. Gold Coast travels to Alberton to face Yartapuulti next Saturday (2.05pm ACST) as it searches to level its season ledger at 2-2.

GOLD COAST       1.2    3.5    3.8    8.9 (57)
GEELONG             1.0    3.1    6.3   10.4 (64) 

GOALS
Gold Coast: Harris 3, Welsh 2, Usher 2, Quigley
Geelong: Scheer 3, Murray 2, O'Rourke, Moloney, Kearns, Crockett-Grills, Morrison 

BEST 
Gold Coast: Hatchard, Harris, Rowbottom, D.Davies, Usher, McLaughlin
Geelong: Bowen, Prespakis, Scheer, Webster, Morrison, Parry 

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Geelong: Kilpatrick (shoulder), Bowering (foot), Dunlop (knee) 

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 1838 at People First Stadium