The 2025 Geelong Football Club season is the club's 161st season playing Australian rules football, with the club competing in their 126th season in the Australian Football League (AFL). Geelong continued to field a women's team in the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition, and men's and women's reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the VFL Women's (VFLW) respectively.

Club news

Grant McCabe was officially appointed as president of the club at the annual general meeting held in December 2024. Lyndsay Sharpe was elected as vice president.[1][2]

Tyson Stengle and Lawson Humphries were selected in the Indigenous All-Stars squad for the preseason exhibition match against Fremantle.[3] Stengle kicked a goal, while Humphries was named among the All-Stars best players in their 43-point win.[4][5]

At the launch of the 2025 AFL season, the league announced that three Geelong greats will be recognised with life membership of the AFL. The late Michael Turner, recently retired player Zach Tuohy and current player Mitch Duncan were among the honourees.[6]

AFL team

Season summary

It was the club's 15th AFL season under senior coach Chris Scott, with Patrick Dangerfield continuing as club captain.[7][8]

The club was due to play in the season opening match at The Gabba against reigning premiers Brisbane Lions, but the match was postponed on 4 March due to the impact of Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred on the South East Queensland region.[9][10][11] On 7 March, the AFL announced that the match would be played during round 3 of the season.[12][13]

In March it was reported that Geelong and other clubs were being audited regarding third-party player payments. The audit coming after the club was investigated over the arrangement Chris Scott had with sponsor Morris Finance.[14][15]


Pre-season

Geelong started the season with a match simulation game against Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium on 17 February, winning 15.16 (106) to 13.8 (86), with Ollie Henry kicking four goals.[16][17]

Geelong played an official practice match as part of the AFL's Community Series against Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on 25 February. After a tight first three quarters, Essendon kicked clear in the final quarter to win 17.2 (104) to Geelong 12.11 (83) in front of a crowd of 11,626.

Coaching staff

Chris Scott continued as the club's men's senior coach for a 15th season, having signed a contract extension until the end of the 2026 season.[18]


2025 Geelong coaching staff
Role Name
Senior coach Chris Scott
Assistant coach James Kelly
Assistant coach Steven King
Assistant coach James Rahilly
Head of player development Nigel Lappin
Ruck coach Brad Ottens
Development coach Aaron Black
Development coach Shaun Higgins

Playing list

Changes

Statistics

Key
^ Denotes player who was on the club's standard rookie list, and therefore eligible for senior selection.
# Denotes Category B rookie where player needed to be elevated to club's senior list during this season to be eligible for senior selection.
Playing list and statistics[29][30]
Player No. Games Goals Behinds Kicks Handballs Disposals Tackles Marks Hitouts Milestone(s)
Tom Atkins 30
Jed Bews 24
Mark Blicavs 46
Jack Bowes 12
Tanner Bruhn 4
Cillian Burke# 41
Jeremy Cameron 5
Jhye Clark 13
Ted Clohesy^ 40
Brad Close 45
Toby Conway 6
Patrick Dangerfield 35
Sam De Koning 16
Oliver Dempsey 28
Mitch Duncan 22
Mitchell Edwards 11
Cameron Guthrie 29
Zach Guthrie 39
Jack Henry 38
Oliver Henry 36
Lennox Hofmann 23
Max Holmes 9
Lawson Humphries 17
Xavier Ivisic 25
Mitch Knevitt 10
Jake Kolodjashnij 8
Shaun Mannagh 7
Jack Martin 19
Keighton Matofai-Forbes 31
Gryan Miers 32
Jacob Molier 20
Oisín Mullin^ 34
Shannon Neale 33
Mark O'Connor 42
Connor O'Sullivan 14
Joe Pike 37
Jay Polkinghorne 2
Patrick Retschko 27
Bailey Smith 3
Rhys Stanley 1
Tyson Stengle 18
George Stevens 15
Tom Stewart 44
Oliver Wiltshire 21

Results

Key
H Home game
A Away game
N Neutral venue game
Table of 2025 AFL season results[31]
Round Date Result Score Opponent Score Ground Attendance Ladder
G B T G B T
OR Brisbane Lions The Gabba A
1 15 March Won 23 9 147 Fremantle 10 9 69 GMHBA Stadium H 25,372[32] 4th Steady
2 22 March Lost 13 13 91 St Kilda 15 8 98 Marvel Stadium A 36,663[33] 7th Decrease
3 29 March Brisbane Lions The Gabba A
4 4 April Melbourne GMHBA Stadium H
5 10 April Adelaide Adelaide Oval A
6 21 April Hawthorn Melbourne Cricket Ground H
7 27 April Carlton Melbourne Cricket Ground A
8 3 May Collingwood Melbourne Cricket Ground A
9 11 May Greater Western Sydney GMHBA Stadium H
10 17 May Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval A
11 22 May Western Bulldogs GMHBA Stadium H
12 1 June West Coast Optus Stadium A
13 7 June Gold Coast GMHBA Stadium H
14 14 June Essendon Melbourne Cricket Ground A
15 20 June Brisbane Lions GMHBA Stadium H
16 Bye
17 Richmond GMHBA Stadium H
18 Greater Western Sydney Engie Stadium A
19 St Kilda GMHBA Stadium H
20 North Melbourne Marvel Stadium A
21 Port Adelaide GMHBA Stadium H
22 Essendon GMHBA Stadium H
23 Sydney Sydney Cricket Ground A
24 Richmond Melbourne Cricket Ground A

Ladder

Updated to Essendon v Port Adelaide (round 3).

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Hawthorn 3 3 0 0 287 221 129.9 12 Finals series
2 Adelaide 2 2 0 0 296 172 172.1 8
3 Greater Western Sydney 2 2 0 0 181 126 143.7 8
4 Collingwood 3 2 1 0 264 219 120.5 8
5 Brisbane Lions 2 2 0 0 180 157 114.6 8
6 Gold Coast 1 1 0 0 136 49 277.6 4
7 Geelong 2 1 1 0 238 167 142.5 4
8 North Melbourne 2 1 1 0 222 179 124.0 4
9 Western Bulldogs 2 1 1 0 183 173 105.8 4
10 Sydney 3 1 2 0 226 247 91.5 4
11 Port Adelaide 3 1 2 0 245 276 88.8 4
12 Essendon 3 1 2 0 257 332 77.4 4
13 St Kilda 2 1 1 0 170 226 75.2 4
14 Richmond 2 1 1 0 150 209 71.8 4
15 Carlton 2 0 2 0 129 162 79.6 0
16 Melbourne 2 0 2 0 140 202 69.3 0
17 Fremantle 2 0 2 0 134 215 62.3 0
18 West Coast 2 0 2 0 124 230 53.9 0
Source: afl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for

Awards

League awards

VFL team

Season summary

Mark Corrigan continues as coach of the club's VFL program for a third season, with Dan Capiron continuing as captain. Marcus Herbert was appointed as vice-captain.[35]

In March, after returning to the club for the 2025 season, Nathan Kreuger was selected in the initial 43-player squad for the VFL State Team to play the SANFL State Team in April.[36]


Results

Key
H Home game
A Away game
Table of season results[37]
Round Date Result Score Opponent Score Ground
G B T G B T
1 23 March Won 12 19 91 Sandringham 8 12 60 Trevor Barker Beach Oval A
2 29 March Northern Bullants GMHBA Stadium H
3 4 April Casey GMHBA Stadium H
4 20 April Box Hill GMHBA Stadium H
5 27 April Carlton Ikon Park A
6 Bye
7 11 May Greater Western Sydney GMHBA Stadium H
8 17 May Port Melbourne ETU Stadium A
9 23 May Footscray Mission Whitten Oval A
10 1 June Williamstown DSV Stadium A
11 8 June Gold Coast GMHBA Stadium H
12 14 June Werribee Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval A
13 21 June Brisbane GMHBA Stadium H
14 Bye
15 Richmond Swinburne Centre A
16 Greater Western Sydney TBC A
17 Collingwood GMHBA Stadium H
18 North Melbourne Arden Street Oval A
19 Bye
20 Essendon GMHBA Stadium H
21 Sydney TBC A

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Footscray (R) 1 1 0 0 148 22 672.7 4 Finals series
2 Geelong (R) 1 1 0 0 91 60 151.7 4
3 Collingwood (R) 1 1 0 0 84 59 142.4 4
4 Brisbane (R) 1 1 0 0 106 81 130.9 4
5 Southport 1 1 0 0 89 71 125.4 4
Updated to match(es) played on 23 March 2025. Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for
(R) = (R) denotes that the club is the reserves team of a senior club of the Australian Football League

AFL Women's team

Season summary


Coaching staff

Daniel Lowther continues as head coach of the AFLW program for a fifth season.


2025 Geelong coaching staff
Role Name
Senior coach Daniel Lowther
Assistant coach (forwards) Andrew Bruce
Assistant coach (midfield) Josh Finch
Assistant coach (defence) Elise Coventry
Development coach Will Sexton
Gary Rohan
Andrew Allthorpe
Talls coach Paul Chambers
Bench coach David Morgan

Playing list

Changes

Statistics

Key
# Denotes player who was on the club's rookie list.
^ Denotes player who was on the club's inactive list.
Playing list and statistics
Player No. Games Goals Behinds Kicks Handballs Disposals Marks Tackles Hitouts Milestone(s)
Mikayla Bowen 1
Bella Smith 2
Amy McDonald 3
Jacqueline Parry 5
Julia Crockett-Grills 6
Kate Surman 7
Kate Darby 8
Nina Morrison 9
Georgie Rankin 10
Meg McDonald 11
Kate Kenny# 12
Chloe Scheer 14
Shelley Scott 15
Chantel Emonson 16
Anna-Rose Kennedy^ 18
Zali Friswell 20
Rebecca Webster 21
Rachel Kearns 22
Bryde O'Rourke 23
Chantal Mason 24
Caitlin Thorne 25
Claudia Gunjaca 26
Gabbie Featherston 32
Georgie Prespakis 41
Melissa Bragg 44
Aishling Moloney# 45
Piper Dunlop TBC
Lexi Gregor TBC
Sienna Tallariti TBC
Caitie Tipping TBC

Results

Fixture yet to be released

VFLW team

Season summary

Following an unsuccessful 2024 season, the club appointed Taylah Hassett as the new head coach of the VFL Women's team. Hassett (aged 22 when hired) was previously an AFL Barwon Female Football premiership winning playing-coach with the Grovedale Football Club.[43]

Melanie Staunton was appointed captain of the squad, with Abby Favell as vice-captain.[44]

In March, Poppy Schaap was selected in the 50-player squad for the VFL Women's representative match against the SANFL Women's competition.[45]

Results

Key
H Home game
A Away game
Table of season results[46]
Round Date Result Score Opponent Score Ground
G B T G B T
1 19 April Box Hill Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct H
2 26 April Carlton Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct H
3 3 May Williamstown DSV Stadium A
4 10 May Sandringham Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct H
5 17 May Port Melbourne ETU Stadium A
6 24 May Essendon Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct H
7 31 May Darebin RMIT University, Bundoora A
8 14 June North Melbourne Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval A
9 22 June Carlton Ikon Park A
10 29 June Western Bulldogs TBC H
11 5 July Casey TBC A
12 12 July Sandringham TBC A
13 19 July Collingwood TBC H
12 26 July Darebin TBC H

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
5 Darebin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Finals series
6 Essendon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Geelong Cats 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 North Melbourne Werribee 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Port Melbourne 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.


Notes

References

  1. ^ "Grant McCabe becomes Geelong Cats President, Lyndsay Sharp appointed Vice President". Geelong Football Club. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  2. ^ King, Tom (19 December 2024). "Board tenure among Cats constitution changes". Krock Football. Geelong, Victoria: Geelong Broadcasters Pty Limited. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  3. ^ "Humphries and Stengle selected for Indigenous All Stars". Geelong Football Club. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Indigenous All Stars put on a show to win AFL preseason exhibition by 43 points". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  5. ^ Bastiani, Gemma (15 February 2025). "Joy, flair and fun: Indigenous All Stars shine in special win over Freo". afl.com.au. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Three Geelong greats set to be awarded AFL Life Membership". Geelong Football Club. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  7. ^ "Geelong Announce their 2025 AFL Captain". Geelong Football Club. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  8. ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (14 December 2024). "Geelong Cats confirm captain for 2025 AFL season". Zero Hanger. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  9. ^ Valencich, Glenn (4 March 2025). "AFL calls off Brisbane-Geelong and Gold Coast-Essendon as Tropical Cyclone Alfred forecast worsens". 7news.com.au. Seven West Media. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  10. ^ "Cyclone Alfred forces AFL to postpone both Queensland Opening Round games". sen.com.au. Sports Entertainment Network. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  11. ^ "Both Qld games postponed due to tropical cyclone". afl.com.au. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  12. ^ Gabelich, Josh (7 March 2025). "New fixture details revealed for games delayed by cyclone". afl.com.au. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  13. ^ Sutton, Ben (7 March 2025). "AFL announce new fixture for Brisbane-Geelong and Gold Coast-Essendon matches". 7news.com.au. Seven West Media. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  14. ^ "The AFL is forensically going over Geelong's books as part of a competition-wide review of third-party deals". Code Sports. News Corporation Australia. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  15. ^ Reid, Harrison (10 March 2025). "AFL launch major audit into Geelong amid rival club suspicions over third-party payments". 7news.com.au. Seven West Media. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  16. ^ Gabelich, Josh (17 February 2025). "Match Report - Geelong v Hawthorn Match Simulation". Geelong Football Club. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  17. ^ Cotton, Ben (17 February 2025). "Cats 'evolution' on show as epic goal stuns, recruits unleashed in exciting Hawks clash". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  18. ^ Robinson, Mark (19 September 2023). "Chris Scott extends his tenure as Geelong coach until at least the end of 2026". Code Sports. Melbourne, Victoria: News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  19. ^ Smith, Martin (6 August 2024). "Tomahawk says farewell: Top Cat announces retirement". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
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  21. ^ "Premiership pair among SEVEN axed by Cats". afl.com.au. 24 September 2024.
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  24. ^ "Former Blues forward joins Cats on two-year deal". afl.com.au. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Four-club, three-player trade lands on the buzzer". afl.com.au. 16 October 2024.
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  27. ^ Rivalland, Nathan (29 November 2024). "Cats load up in AFL Draft". Geelong Times. Times News Group. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
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  30. ^ "2024 Player Stats (Geelong)". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  31. ^ "2025 Season Scores and Results". AFL Tables. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  32. ^ Bastiani, Gemma (15 March 2025). "Smith stars as Cats purr in 78-point Docker demolition". afl.com.au. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  33. ^ Black, Sarah (22 March 2025). "Marvel-ous! Saints' home dominance of Cats continues". afl.com.au. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  34. ^ "Connor O'Sullivan Earns Telstra Rising Star Nomination". geelongcats.com.au. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
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  36. ^ "Nathan Kreuger selected in 2025 Smithy's VFL State Team squad". Geelong Football Club. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  37. ^ "AFL Fixtures and Results – VFL 2025". afl.com.au. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  38. ^ "Cats farewell Moloney". Geelong Football Club. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
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  42. ^ Saultry, Meg (25 November 2024). "Geelong sign former volleyballer Caitie Tipping until end of 2027 AFLW season". Code Sports. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  43. ^ Saultry, Meg (19 December 2024). "Taylah Hassett named Geelong's 2025 VFLW head coach". Code Sports. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
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  45. ^ "Poppy Schaap selected in rebel VFLW State Team squad". Geelong Football Club. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  46. ^ "AFL Fixtures and Results – VFLW 2025". afl.com.au. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
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