AFLW Round 12: Geelong lock in a top-two finish; league stars call time

Geelong star Jacqueline Parry has kicked five goals on return from injury to help the Cats ruthlessly cut down the Western Bulldogs by 68 points and lock in a top-two AFLW finish.

The Cats were simply a class above the Bulldogs on Friday night, piling on seven straight goals across the first half en route to a 13.10 (88) to 3.2 (20) triumph at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong (11-1) can finish no lower than second on the ladder, with defending premiers North Melbourne - who boast the better percentage - to take on lowly Richmond on Saturday.

Rejuvenated by flag-winning coach Mick Stinear’s arrival at the end of last year, the Cats will end their two-year absence from finals in red-hot form after extending their winning streak to 11 games.

AAP

Former No.1 draft pick Isabel Huntington has retired from the AFLW at just 27.

The GWS star, All-Australian and former AFLW Rising Star told teammates during the week that the Giants’ game this weekend – the 61st of her career – would be her last.

Drafted by the Western Bulldogs with the top selection in 2017, her career has been defined by resilience through her luckless run with injury – including three ACL tears.

Huntington was elected to the AFLPA board in 2022, where she has been a key figure, including playing a role in the negotiations of the historic 2023-2027 AFLW collective bargaining agreement.

Through her playing and rehabilitation, Huntington has also graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science in Human Structure and Function.

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