The Sydney Swans AFLW side were valiant in defeat against heavyweights Geelong at North Sydney Oval in Round Two, with the away side holding the spirited Swans at arm's length to clinch a 10.8 (68) to 5.11 (41) victory on Saturday.

A blistering five-goal opening term off the back of some slick ball movement from the away side set up the Cats victory, with three of the team's five majors in the first term to light up North Sydney Oval in front of 2,878 fans.

While the Cats (2-0) piled on the goals for a second straight week, the Swans (1-1) at least backed up their breakthrough victory to fight out the contest without truly threatening another comeback.

The Swans carried the momentum of their win last week to start brightly against the Cats but failed to make the most of their opportunities with four early behinds while the visitors soon took control.

05:53

AFLW Highlights: Sydney v Geelong

The Swans and Cats clash in round two of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

Prized-recruit Chloe Molloy (22 disposals, one goal) again impressed for the Swans, whether battling hard around the stoppages or adding X-factor in the forward half, while Aliesha Newman booted three goals in her 50th AFLW game.

Laura Gardiner also stood up to keep the Swans within touching distance for much of the contest with 27 disposals and eight tackles in a tireless performance against her former side.

The Swans' blossoming young ruck Ally Morphett backed up her dominant display and Rising Star nomination last week with 14 disposals, 34 hitouts and a goal but the Cats ultimately had too much polish across the field.

00:29

Newman celebrates 50th milestone with sensational goal

Aliesha Newman reads the drop of the footy brilliantly for the mark and is rewarded with this major

Geelong's Scheer on fire early and Jackie Parry also hitting the scoreboard with three goals, the Cats again showed they have the firepower to be considered among the leading contenders this season.

Nina Morrison (21 disposals, one goal), Amy McDonald (20, one) and Darcy Moloney (16) were also crucial to the Cats' performance, especially with Georgie Prespakis restricted to 15 touches.

Cats star Prespakis had nine disposals to the first change, after having 34 last week, but was limited from there by some close checking from the Swans' Irish recruit Tanya Kennedy.

00:39

Molloy delivers magnificent 50-metre beauty

Chloe Molloy shrugs off the tackle and unloads from beyond the arc to claim Sydney's first major

Molloy almost sparks another Swans surge 
The Swans' boom recruit Chloe Molloy found the going tougher this week after her heroics inspired the rousing victory over Greater Western Sydney in round one. The Cats' midfielders marked Molloy closely throughout the contest but the co-captain still got off the leash to almost spark another Swans surge. Molloy booted the Swans' first goal with a long bomb from outside the 50m arc that was quickly followed by a major to Aliesha Newman on the cusp of half-time, but unlike last week's opponents the Cats were able to respond after the break.

Up next
Geelong faces a tougher test to continue its winning start to the season when it hosts North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Friday from 5.05pm AEST. Sydney will be on the road for the first time this year to face Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday from 5.05pm AEST.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 05:58

    "I am proud of their effort and intensity" - Gowans

    Watch Sydney's press conference after round two's match against Geelong

    AFLW
    AFLW
  • 05:53

    AFLW Highlights: Sydney v Geelong

    The Swans and Cats clash in round two of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
    AFLW
  • 01:44

    "I'm proud of myself for reaching 50, but the loss is tough" - Newman

    It was a stunning performance from Aliesha Newman as she kicked three goals in her 50th game, but concedes the performance and result is incredible disappointing.

    AFLW
    AFLW
  • 00:29

    Newman celebrates 50th milestone with sensational goal

    Aliesha Newman reads the drop of the footy brilliantly for the mark and is rewarded with this major

    AFLW
    AFLW
  • 00:39

    Molloy delivers magnificent 50-metre beauty

    Chloe Molloy shrugs off the tackle and unloads from beyond the arc to claim Sydney's first major

    AFLW
    AFLW

SYDNEY             0.4     2.6     4.8     5.11 (41)
GEELONG          5.0     6.1     8.6     10.8 (68) 

GOALS
Sydney: Newman 3, Morphett, Molloy
Geelong: Scheer 5, Parry 3, Morrison, Am.McDonald

BEST 
Sydney: Gardiner, Molloy, Morphett, Newman, Heads
Geelong: Scheer, Morrison, Parry, Am.McDonald, Prespakis, Emonson

INJURIES 
Sydney: Nil
Geelong: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Sydney: Nil
Geelong: Annabel Johnson replaced in selected side by Rachel Kearns 

Reports: Nil

 Crowd: 2,878 at North Sydney Oval