Geelong’s road to a 2025 premiership tilt
The bogey teams, the sure-things and the biggest challenges of the 2025 AFL season. We’ve taken a closer look at Geelong’s fixture.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After a preliminary finals exit in season 2024, Geelong is again shaping as one of the premiership contenders this season.
Get the breakdown of every game in your 2025 Cats calendar.
Opening Round: Brisbane v Geelong
Venue: Gabba
Date: Thursday, March 6
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: The Cats will have revenge on their mind when they face the Lions in the opening game. Brisbane knocked Geelong out of the finals race in a heart-stopping prelim at the MCG last year by just 10 points. However, a trip to the Gabba won’t daunt the Cats, having beaten Brisbane in a deluge last year in Round 6 by 26 points. Both teams will come together to mourn the loss of Troy Selwood pre-game after his sudden death in February.
Round 1: Geelong v Fremantle
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date: Saturday, March 15, 1.20pm
TV: Broadcast on Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: Geelong’s first home game on a Saturday afternoon. Last year, the Cats knocked off the Dockers in Perth in an important win as they chased a top-four spot, aided by some forward line brilliance from Patrick Dangerfield. Justin Longmuir’s side has one of the best young lists in the competition, especially their midfield, but can they stack it up against Geelong’s new look on ball brigade? There could also be cause for celebration with unheralded defender Jake Kolodjashnij potentially stepping out for his 200th AFL game.
Round 2: St Kilda v Geelong
Venue: Marvel Stadium
Date: Saturday, March 22, 7.35pm
TV: Broadcast on Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: Travelling to Marvel Stadium, this fixture might trigger some PTSD for Cats fans after the Saints soared beyond half time in Round 23 last season, kicking 13.5 to Geelong’s 5.2. The Cats have a rough recent record against the Saints at the venue, dropping their past three. Given where both of these teams are expected to finish this season, you’d expect the Cats to win this comfortably. Under the roof, their skills should be far too superior.
Round 3: Bye
An early break for Chris Scott’s men given they’ll take part in Opening Round against Brisbane. Two byes might just be a blessing in disguise for some of the Cats’ older troops.
Round 4: Geelong v Melbourne
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date: Friday, April 4, 7.40pm
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: This could be a tough prospect for the Cats if Melbourne’s star-studded midfield of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver rediscover their form of seasons past at Kardinia Park on a Friday night. The Dees were the first team to inflict a loss on Geelong in 2024 after seven straight victories to open the season. Patrick Dangerfield likes games against the Dees, having averaged 23.41 disposals against Simon Goodwin’s men during his career. If Mitch Duncan plays in the Cats’ first three games, he’ll line up for game 300 in this one thereby becoming sixth Cat to reach the milestone.
Round 5: Adelaide v Geelong
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Date: Thursday, April 10, 7.40pm
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: Some expect the Crows to be a big improver in 2025, but the Cats will have no fears travelling to the City of Churches considering they played some of their best footy at the venue in a qualifying final last year against Port Adelaide. It’s a huge bonus Geelong will play the Crows in Gather Round which eliminates the chance of another interstate trip of which the Cats have six in 2025.
Round 6: Geelong v Hawthorn
Venue: MCG
Date: Monday, April 27, 3.20pm
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: The resurgent Hawks were the story in the backend of last season, but were ultimately disappointing at GMHBA Stadium in Round 17. A return bout at the G where the Easter Monday match was halted due to lightning strikes last year. This will be the Cats’ only home game away from GMHBA during the season and they’ll want to make the most of it in front of a big crowd.
Round 7: Carlton v Geelong
Venue: MCG
Date: Sunday, April 27, 3.20pm
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: It shapes to be a ruck battle of the two De Konings yet again after Tom and Sam went head-to-head last year at the MCG. The Cats were smashed by 63 points that night, triggering premature talk of an end to a 20-year era at the Cattery. Geelong will also be coming off a five-day break, to add a further layer of complexity.
Round 8: Collingwood v Geelong
Venue: MCG
Date: Saturday, May 3, 7.35pm
TV: Broadcast on Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: Another huge game against a big four club, we may know by then if Collingwood’s premiership window has closed or it has a few more punches to throw. Could we potentially see two tags in this one? Will Chris Scott send someone to Nick Daicos and will Craig McCrae look to shut down Tom Stewart’s rebound? The occasion could mark Jack Henry’s 150th game in the blue and white hoops.
Round 9: Geelong v GWS Giants
Venue: GMHBA
Date: Sunday, May 11, 3.20pm
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: Potentially the fourth big game in a row for Chris Scott’s men, this time at home, against a team considered by some to be a premiership fancy. The Giants hung on by four points in the wet at Kardinia Park last May thanks to Leek Aleer’s heroics. GMHBA is usually a fortress for the blue and white hoops but Adam Kingsley’s side have won their last four at the ground.
Round 10: Port Adelaide v Geelong
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Date: Saturday, May 17, 4.15pm
TV: Broadcast on Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: The Cats will have fond memories returning to Adelaide Oval after destroying the Power in a qualifying final last September. The Cats will be determined to get their hands on the footy in this one with Power midfielders Ollie Wines and Zak Butters the leading ball winners in the last five games between the pair.
Round 11: Geelong v Western Bulldogs
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date: Thursday, May 22, 7.30pm
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: All eyes will be on boom recruit Bailey Smith as he potentially lines up against his former side for the first time since being traded at the end of last season. It will be interesting to see what type of reception he receives from his ex-teammates. At Kardinia Park last year, the Dogs looked unstoppable at both ends of the ground, with Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb having standout nights.
Round 12: West Coast Eagles v Geelong
Venue: Optus Stadium
Date: Sunday, June 1, 7.20pm
TV: Broadcast on Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: A chance to rest a few of the older guys or a potential banana peel for the Cats at the halfway mark of the season? It’s a question which match committee will be looking to answer when the two sides meet. Geelong has won every games against the Eagles since 2021.
Round 13: Geelong v Gold Coast Suns
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date: Saturday, June 7, 4.15pm
TV: Broadcast on Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: Another twilight home game for the Cats presenting them the ideal opportunity to avenge an embarrassing thrashing at the hands of the Suns in Darwin in 2024. Given pre-season speculation around the future of Suns star Matt Rowell, could this game loom as an opportunity to try and entice him into the hoops for 2026?
Round 14: Essendon v Geelong
Venue: MCG
Date: Saturday, June 14, 4.15pm
TV: Broadcast on Fox Footy/Kayo
Storyline: This one might mean a little more to Chris Scott as he hopes to keep bragging rights against his brother, Brad, when their two sides meet. Geelong holds the wood over the Bombers in recent times having not lost to their opponents since 2018. Retired star Tom Hawkins loved games against the Bombers, can someone else now take the mantle?
Round 15: Geelong v Brisbane
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date: Friday, June 20, 7.40pm
TV: Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo
Brisbane: A return bout with the Lions at Kardinia Park, you’d expect another close encounter considering the recent preliminary final and that past five matches coming into the season decided by an average of 11 points.
Round 16: Bye
A perfect opportunity to refresh in the second half of the season where Cats fans will be hoping their side is about to have another shot of a top-four finish.
Round 17: Geelong v Richmond
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: The closest to a sure-thing for the Cats in 2025, with a home game against the rebuilding Tigers who are tipped to take home a second straight wooden spoon. Although, given the history they’ve had off the bye, stranger things have happened. This clash presents an opportunity for an extended break for the sore bodies.
Round 18: GWS Giants v Geelong
Venue: ENGIE Stadium
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: Geelong’s first trip to the showgrounds since Round 1, 2020, this is shaping up as one of the Cats’ toughest assignments in 2025. Based on previous seasons, the result of this one could have major implications on where Geelong finishes on the ladder.
Round 19: Geelong v St Kilda
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: The start of what shapes to be a softer two-week run with a home game followed by the Roos at Marvel Stadium. On paper, you’d have Geelong winning this one comfortably but Saints coach Ross Lyon loves a defensive game style and the smaller ground at GMHBA might just work in his favour.
Round 20: North Melbourne v Geelong
Venue: Marvel Stadium
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: The Cats could be forgiven for pencilling this one in the “expected to win” column, despite increasing expectations with North, especially its talented midfield. The Roos seriously pushed the Cats in Hobart last year, with some Tyson Stengle brilliance eventually proving the difference. Late in the season, if North are limping for the line, this could get ugly.
Round 21: Geelong v Port Adelaide
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: Just the second team to inflict a loss on Geelong last season after a 7-0 start, the Power’s midfield ran rampant at GMHBA on a Friday night. Power coach Ken Hinkley did a wonderful job of shutting out Tom Stewart in 2024, could it happen again?
Round 22: Geelong v Essendon
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: Will a 35-year record remain standing? A rare visit up the highway from a big four team, the Bombers last beat Geelong at Kardinia Park in 1990 by four points. Given where these two sides are at in their development, the Cats should win this one comfortably.
Round 23: Sydney v Geelong
Venue: SCG
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: Always a tough test for any visiting team, the Swans put the Cats in their place in 2024 at the SCG amid a run of six losses in seven games. With the quality of both sides, this could shape as a perfect finals tune-up. Coaches always talk about wanting to be match hardened and you arguably couldn’t get a better advertisement for finals like footy on the SCG.
Round 24: Richmond v Geelong
Venue: MCG
Date and time: TBC
Storyline: Much like the end of the 2024 season, where the Cats faced the Eagles at home, this could be an important tune-up in the context of Geelong’s finals aspirations or ladder placing if we see another even season like 2024. It’s probably too early to even suggest, but could there be one final push from Jeremy Cameron to win himself a Coleman Medal against the hapless Tiger cubs?
Originally published as Geelong’s road to a 2025 premiership tilt
Geelong woman shares traumatic story that changed her life
Nikki Everett was leading a normal life when a sudden event upended her life. In a new book she shares her story.
GFNL bombshell: AFL Barwon’s plans to boot North Shore
North Shore has been caught off guard by a shock letter from AFL Barwon telling them the organisation plans to proceed without the club in 2025. Read the full letter here.