Geelong will play finals in 2023 after defeating Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium.
A 40-point demolition of Hawthorn by Geelong has catapulted them to their second consecutive AFLW finals appearance.
After losing three of their previous five games, the Cats avoided dropping out of the top eight with a 9.6 (60) to 3.2 (20) victory over the Hawks at GHMBA Stadium on Saturday.
Geelong might finish as high as fifth depending on other results throughout the round, while Hawthorn finishes 14th in its second season.
Prespakis displayed deft ball movement in the face of ferocious Hawthorn pressure to maintain the Sherrin in Geelong’s hands, ably assisted by midfield powerhouses Amy McDonald and Nina Morrison.
The 20-year-old had 35 disposals, eight clearances, and 18 contested possessions.
Darcy Moloney, Aishling Moloney, Chloe Scheer (three goals), Rebecca Webster, Jacqueline Parry, Kate Surman, and Morrison were among the seven goalkickers for Geelong.
But the afternoon was anything but easy for the hosts.
The expansion side out-tackled Geelong’s signature handball game 24 to 10 in the first period, while prolific tackler Emily Bates went to work on Prespakis.
Moloney finally burst through the tight Hawthorn defense less than three minutes before quarter-time to take first blood.
Aileen Gilroy and Jenna Richardson were formidable barriers for the Geelong attack, with each collecting eight intercept possessions, while the Hawks finished with 86 tackles to 61.
Morrison and Webster were able to break away for the Cats with two straight majors after regrouping at quarter-time.
Scheer’s three consecutive goals in the second half increased the Cats’ lead to 39 points, comfortably securing a top-eight finish.
Kristy Stratton lined up two majors for Hawthorn before setting up Tahlia Fellows for her own goal.
Bates (27 disposals, 18 disputed possessions) was everywhere throughout the park, fighting valiantly to give retirees Akec Makur Chuot, Catherine Brown, and Tamara Luke a proper send-off.
Makur Chuot was the first South Sudanese woman to play in the League, and she appeared in 38 games for three clubs.
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