AFL Round 1 2025: The burning questions facing Geelong ahead of season-opener
Geelong’s season begins on Saturday, and there are several questions left unanswered.
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After a false start last week, Geelong’s season begins on Saturday afternoon against Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium.
The two sides played out a thriller in round 22 of last year, the Cats claiming victory by nine points at Perth Stadium, and this round one clash shapes as another tight encounter.
The mercury is forecast to hit 35 degrees in Geelong on game day and the Dockers are sure to bring the heat themselves.
Geelong will be desperate to get its 2025 campaign on the right track after last year’s heartbreaking preliminary final defeat in what is set to be Bailey Smith’s first official game in the hoops
We look at the key questions ahead of the Cats’ season opener and their 2025 campaign.
WIll Bailey Smith have an immediate impact?
All eyes will be on ‘Bazlenka’ on Saturday afternoon in his first home-and-away game as a Cat. Coach Chris Scott declared Smith a certain starter if their postponed match last week went ahead after a minor knee setback, while Tom Stewart told reporters the new recruit is “jumping out of his skin” to play. The boom recruit has played just a half of footy against opposition since the final round of 2023, shining in a half of gametime last month against Hawthorn. If he can replicate the ball-winning and transition run we saw in that game, look out. The Cats have eased expectations on the former Bulldog this pre-season and he will likely play a variety of roles rather than as a pure on-baller. But expect to see his trademark dash.
Who fills the Kolodjashnij void?
Two games shy of 200 games, Jake Kolodjashnij is an underrated part of the Geelong defence, and the Cats will be without him for three weeks as he deals with a groin issue. Kolodjashnij’s absence leaves a hole in the Cats backline that will need to contain rising duo Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss, and forward-ruck Luke Jackson. With Mark Blicavs and Jack Henry taking the key position posts, it gives the Cats the opportunity to unleash one-game defender Connor O’Sullivan, who coach Scott says is right in the mix for selection after an impressive summer. Or do the Cats go small and have Zach Guthrie take one of the talls, and trust their team defence to get the job done? The Cats also have the option of moving Sam De Koning back into his traditional defensive role, but he has trained across the pre-season as a ruck. And that leads us to our next question...
Ruck or defence, where do the Cats need SDK more?
De Koning showed some encouraging signs in the ruck late last season. But after a pre-season honing his ruck craft his practice match performances weren’t overly convincing. His first assignment in Luke Jackson will be more like-for-like — both athletic and strong in the air — and it shapes as a fascinating duel. The Dockers may also choose to play Liam Reidy alongside Jackson as they did during the pre-season. De Koning also has the daunting match-ups of Rowan Marshall and Max Gawn in the opening month of the season. Captain Patrick Dangerfield views De Koning’s ruck move as unselfish, and with Kolodjashnij out, we will soon find out whether it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Can Cats pass early midfield tests?
Geelong doesn’t care much for the raw clearance numbers, and it showed last year it could win games without winning the clearance battle. However, the Cats’ midfield will be put to the test against prime movers Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw. Serong ranked fourth in the competition last season for clearances and both were in the top 10 for disposals. Hayden Young’s injury helps Geelong’s cause, but the Cats’ midfield mix will have their work cut out for them. Could Geelong deploy a defensive player like Tom Atkins, Oisin Mullin or Mark O’Connor to curb their influence? The Cats do have some gamebreakers in the midfield in Max Holmes and Bailey Smith, and don’t be surprised to see Dangerfield thrown in their despite his proposed forward role. Geelong also has Brisbane and Melbourne in the opening month of the season, which means the likes of Jack Bowes and Mitch Knevitt, coming off strong pre-seasons, will have to bring their A-game.
Can Cats maintain the rage in scorcher?
A short-term question, but one that is relevant. Geelong’s slingshot game is built off rapid ball movement that turns defence into attack in an instant. That speed is easier to maintain on a cool winter’s night than a 35-degree day in March. The scorching conditions could force the Cats into more slow play, which was Fremantle’s modus operandi last year. Both sides will be helped by eight-minute quarter and three-quarter-time breaks, compared to the usual six.
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Originally published as AFL Round 1 2025: The burning questions facing Geelong ahead of season-opener
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