Dunstall’s huge call on Dangerfield’s forward future; Petracca’s emotions show after Demons loss to Cats

Patrick Dangerfield was at his damaging best.Credit: Getty Images

Geelong 12.13 (85) d Melbourne 6.10 (46)

It took a second week for Simon Goodwin to finally get a response from his players, but it was not enough for Melbourne to break their duck. Patrick Dangerfield made sure of that.

The Demons hung on for three quarters, teasing the thousand or so supporters who drove down the highway into dreaming of a stirring season-reviving victory, only to be blown away in the final term.

Goodwin’s men were far more competitive at the contest and thoughtful with the ball compared to last week, but had nothing more than a deflating 39-point loss to show for their extra endeavour.

A willingness to compete is the first step towards victory, but this result showed just how far off the mark the Dees of 2025 are.

Max Gawn had the better of Rhys Stanley in the ruck, Steven May was gallant in defence, and Kysaiah Pickett provided spark, but just six goals on the scoreboard represented another dirty day for the Dees.

They lacked the class of the Cats, who gradually drained their energy with their retention of the ball and preparedness to work the ball up the field instead of pressing the button immediately.

The Cats had seven of the top 10 ball-winners on the ground for the night.

Dangerfield was a clear best-on-ground with 20 disposals and three goals. At times he was both the most influential forward and most damaging midfielder. He had enough chances for a modern-day bag.

Thanks so much for joining us tonight as the Cats recorded a 39-point win over Melbourne.

We will have plenty more AFL stories to come tonight and tomorrow, so please keep checking our sites and rejoin us tomorrow afternoon for our AFL Saturday live blog as Gold Coast and Adelaide battle it out in the Queensland heat before Richmond host the Lions at the MCG and the Swans take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Have a lovely evening and we’ll see you all again tomorrow afternoon.

Bye for now.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin.Credit: Getty Images

Demons coach Simon Goodwin was asked about Christian Petracca’s state of mind post-game...

Christian was incredibly upset and frustrated on the siren, how is he?
He is a winner. He is determined, he is proud. He is like everyone – he wants to really start to get some positive results. He is a proud leader of our footy club and all our leaders are like that. Of course, he is going to be disappointed.

Any chance of Jake Lever playing next week?
He is a chance, but we will have to just wait and see how he pulls up. He has got a bit of work to do to be definite. We will probably know a bit more Monday, Tuesday on that one.

How would you describe the morale of your players at the moment after four losses?
I think the real message is to stay calm. I thought we saw a spirit tonight, a real determination for a week and there was a spirit and energy tonight. The message is [to] stay calm. We are four weeks in, stay calm, but get urgent. That’s been the message. We have got work to do, get urgent with that work, but stay calm and know things can turn pretty quick.

0-4 is a long way back – do you think this group has it in them to get back into the season?
We are not looking ahead too far at all. We are not going to look back, we are going to look at this week against Essendon. That’s all we will do. We will grab the learnings but look right at this week and look to get our season going.

Do you see this as a sign of you heading in the right direction as a club? You did show a tremendous amount of spirit in those first three quarters...
We have got a proud group and the last two weeks against North Melbourne and Gold Coast weren’t anywhere near the level we expect, internally, of each other. The way we wanted to play – tonight we saw some better signs. We will acknowledge those signs, but we are not here just to get better – we are here to start to really turn this into some positivity for our footy club. We are going to look right at this week again, and get urgent with what we are doing.

A frustrated Jack Henry leaves the field.Credit: AFL Photos

Cats coach Chris Scott has revealed defender Jack Henry almost didn’t play due to an ankle problem, which adds to the disappointment after the star backman injured his hamstring.

“Jack had a little bit of an ankle issue, which meant he was 50-50 even an hour before the game,” Scott told Fox Footy.

“He started the game so well, so we were thinking it was a good thing we played him, but then he does his hamstring, [and] a bit more [responsibility] did fall to O’Sullivan.

“It was disappointing for Jack – he’s been our best defender and not many teams can replace a player like for like [with Connor O’Sullivan].

“An hour before the game, I was thinking this would be a good win if we can get it done.”

Melbourne’s premiership hopes seem to be fading by the week and, at 0-4, Christian Petracca let out some of his frustration and disappointment after the siren.

The Seven cameras caught a tearful Petracca showing raw emotion as his side prepared to leave the ground.

You never know what a person is struggling with in life, but the Demons superstar looked heartbroken to have another loss on the board and any chance to chase another premiership in grave doubt.

The sight of Petracca with his head in his hands sums up 2025 so far for Melbourne.

Lawson Humphries, Patrick Dangerfield, Shannon Neale and Max Holmes of the Cats sing the song.Credit: Getty Images

Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield spoke to Channel Seven post game...

Move over Tomahawk, hey? You could have had a handful [of goals tonight] but you’ll take 3.2...
It’s a great game to play – so much fun – and it hits home as you get older and the end is far closer than the beginning. So, you cherish every game. It’s just fun to be out here and to bring the energy with our younger guys.

We know how good you are around the footy and the contest at the coalface, but how much are you enjoying getting involved with the forward line a little bit more this year?
It’s a different perspective. It’s like a team within a team. All areas of the ground are like that but forwards, in particular, because you are relying on what happens up the field. Sometimes there are patches of play where you feel like you are going OK, but you might not touch it for 10 to 15 minutes. You are a byproduct of what happens up the field. I’m really enjoying it, [we’ve] got some young and old guys so it’s a nice spread.

What about the inclusion of Bailey Smith, the aura of that man? 28 disposals, five inside-50s, 20 uncontested possessions, he just finds the space so well. What has he really injected into the group?
It would be nice if he could win a hard ball – he has had 28 uncontested! He brings that energy and enthusiasm. He is like that with life. He is enjoying his footy, [and] enjoying living down the coast, I think. He has been good for us and I feel like we have been good for him.

Goal-kicking great and Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Jason Dunstall has described Patrick Dangerfield, one of the modern era’s great midfielders, as capable of being an All-Australian key forward this season.

“If he keeps this up, he will be the All-Australian centre-half forward,” Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

“That’s saying something, but that’s how he played tonight.

“Contested marks, roaming the ground up and back, and kicking goals.”

Patrick Dangerfield was in commanding form against the Demons.Credit: AFL Photos

Connor O’Sullivan dishes off a handpass.Credit: AFL Photos

Young Cats star Connor O’Sullivan says he still has a lot more to learn, despite his impressive start to 2025.

O’Sullivan had 23 disposals and 13 marks against the Demons tonight, with Tom Stewart comparing him to a young Mark Blicavs in the post-match.

O’Sullivan said that praise was an honour but Blicavs was still better than him.

“I think he’s got the legs over me – he’s a much better runner,” O’Sullivan told Fox Footy.

“I haven’t got by him yet.

“I feel like I’m still learning a lot and I wouldn’t be able to do this without the older boys.”

Patrick Dangerfield was at his damaging best.Credit: Getty Images

Geelong 12.13 (85) d Melbourne 6.10 (46)

It took a second week for Simon Goodwin to finally get a response from his players, but it was not enough for Melbourne to break their duck. Patrick Dangerfield made sure of that.

The Demons hung on for three quarters, teasing the thousand or so supporters who drove down the highway into dreaming of a stirring season-reviving victory, only to be blown away in the final term.

Goodwin’s men were far more competitive at the contest and thoughtful with the ball compared to last week, but had nothing more than a deflating 39-point loss to show for their extra endeavour.

A willingness to compete is the first step towards victory, but this result showed just how far off the mark the Dees of 2025 are.

Max Gawn had the better of Rhys Stanley in the ruck, Steven May was gallant in defence, and Kysaiah Pickett provided spark, but just six goals on the scoreboard represented another dirty day for the Dees.

They lacked the class of the Cats, who gradually drained their energy with their retention of the ball and preparedness to work the ball up the field instead of pressing the button immediately.

The Cats had seven of the top 10 ball-winners on the ground for the night.

Dangerfield was a clear best-on-ground with 20 disposals and three goals. At times he was both the most influential forward and most damaging midfielder. He had enough chances for a modern-day bag.

Tom Stewart leaps for a mark on his return from injury.Credit: AFL Photos

Superstar Cats defender Tom Stewart admits his knee isn’t going to be 100 per cent this season, but he’s determined to play through it.

“It’s not too bad – it is what it is, and I’m just going to have to get through it,” Stewart told Fox Footy in the post-match.

“A lot of players play with this sort of thing throughout the year and I’ll just have to suck it up and get after it.”

How close to 100 per cent is Stewart?

“99.9 per cent,” he said with a smile.

Stewart also gave rich praise to young defender Connor O’Sullivan, comparing him to a young Mark Blicavs for his athleticism and skill.

“He reminds me of Blics when he was younger,” Stewart said.

“Him and his appetite to get to work. He just wants to come in each day and get better. As a young player, that’s all you can ask, and he’s got some special attributes.”