Essendon and Geelong will face off in the 2021 VFLW preliminary final. Picture: AFL Photos

A SPOT in the 2021 VFLW Grand Final is on the line when football returns on Saturday at Windy Hill.

After a two week lay-off Geelong and Essendon will go head to head for the second time this season to see who will face Collingwood next week in the Grand Final

WATCH IT LIVE Click here to watch the VFLW preliminary final

Before the COVID enforced break the Cats and Bombers played in thrilling semi-finals that were both decided by just 7-points.

Essendon fell short in a tight and low-scoring affair at Victoria Park against Collingwood, but a second chance keeps it in the Premiership race. Geelong, on the other hand, played out a stirring come from behind win at GMHBA Stadium to stay in the hunt for the flag.

Mia-Rae Clifford gets a kick away under pressure in the 2021 VFLW semi-finals. Picture: AFL Photos

Georgie Prespakis and Zali Friswell have played a big role in the Bombers finals series so far and in a strange twist will come up against the side that drafted them during the week. Both players were picked up by the Cats in the first round of the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft this week, Prespakis with pick two and Friswell with pick seven, a situation Friswell told AFL.com.au was “pretty weird”.

Prespakis has been particularly damaging for Essendon and she got off to a hot start in the semi-final but couldn’t shake a heavy tag in the second half. Could the Cats send a player, like tackling machine Tamara Smith, to curb the young star’s influence in the prelim?

Both sides have placed an emphasis on contested ball and tackle pressure this season, so expect to see a tight contest at Windy Hill.

Annabel Johnson attempts to mark under pressure in the 2021 VFLW semi-finals. Picture: AFL Photos

The biggest hurdle for each club will be which handles the return to football better after a two-week break. A strong start is crucial in a preliminary final and, after two weeks of no football, it could play a big factor in the result of the game.

The last time these sides met was back in round 10 at Deakin University in Geelong, with the Cats coming out as winners that day by 23-points. Sophie Van De Heuvel was the difference with 19 disposals, two goals and seven tackles, while Georgia Nanscawen led Essendon with 22 touches.

ESSENDON  v. GEELONG

Preliminary Final, Saturday July 31st, 12:00pm, Windy Hill

ESSENDON
B: 44. G.Dicker, 34. K.Lennox, 13. E.Hosking
HB: 8. E.Ashley-Cooper, 16. T.Crook, 20. C.McIntosh
C:            41. R.Svarc,
HF: 7. J.Davies, 4. M.Clifford, 47. Z.Friswell
F: 22. N.MacDonald, 11. A.Barba, 40. E.Yassir
R: 30. S.Nalder, 5. G.Nanscawen, 43. G.Prespakis
Int: 9. M.Anthony, 24. T.Gillard, 18. K.Heil, 21. A.Morcom, 1. C.Ugle

Emg: 38. N.Crowley, 42. E.Snell, 25. L.Stepnell

In: K.Lennox, E.Snell, N.Crowley, L.Stepnell, M.Anthony
Out: T.Slender,  L.Ahrens

GEELONG
B: 58. B.Beckley, 26. M.Boyd, 47. C.Leonard
HB: 45. M.Keryk, 42. A.Johnson, 38. T.Meissner
C:            21. R.Webster,
HF: 12. RGaring, 55. P. Sheppard, 60. C.Gunjaca
F: 17. G.Clarke, 1. R.Caris, 40. T.Smith
R: 13. O.Fuller, 27. S.Van De Heuvel, 4. D.Moloney
Int: 18. L.Gardiner, 7. M.Maguire, 32. B.Pratt, 54. R.Tierney, 31. J.Woollett

Emg: 36. S.DeGiacomi, J.Foley, 20. M.Skinner

In: J.Foley, S.DeGiacomi, M.Skinner