Geelong return home on Friday night for an important clash, taking on Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium with the opening bounce at 7.40pm AEDT. 

It is set to be a historic night for the Cats as the club celebrates its 100 year partnership with Ford, a number of exciting activities are planned during the evening for supporters to participate in. 

On field the action will be just as hot, with Geelong looking to bounce back and return to the winners list. 

Check out below all the details you need to know for Friday night. 

KEY DETAILS  

2025 AFL Season - Round Four
Geelong Cats v Melbourne
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Friday April 4, 7.40pm AEDT

TEAM SELECTION

LAST TIME WE MET

Geelong's last clash with Melbourne came in the eighth round of the 2024 AFL season, with the Cats going down by eight-points in a thriller at the MCG. 

The match was tightly contested right to the final siren, Geelong closed within three points late in the final term before Bailey Fritsch kicked the sealer at the 26 minute mark. 

Ollie Henry lead the way with three goals, Max Holmes amassed 31 disposals while Tom Atkins fought hard to finish with 22 disposals and 11 tackles. 

RECENT HISTORY

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Ollie Henry

Henry lead the way in Geelong's last clash against Melbourne, booting three goals from 10 disposals in the round eight clash in 2024. 

The crafty forward has impressed during his time at GMHBA Stadium, kicking 32 majors from 19 appearances at the venue, including seven goals in his last two games at Kardinia Park. 

Henry opened the 2025 season with a three goal display against Fremantle, and is set to be a key contributor once again on Friday night against the Demons. 

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GMHBA STADIUM

• Geelong and Ford 100 Year Commemorative Guernsey
• Ford Premiership Motorcade
• Park and Ride
• Ford Photo Opportunity
• VFL - Geelong v Casey

TICKETS

Tickets are available for Friday night's match at GMHBA Stadium, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by following the link here. 

Fans who purchase tickets to the AFL match will also gain entry to the Cats VFL game, which kicks off at 3.50pm against the Casey Demons. 

With plenty of exciting activities scheduled and some Geelong champions returning, it is set to be an unmissable night under the lights at Kardinia Park. 

WHERE TO WATCH

If you can not make it to the game, Friday night's clash will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 7.30pm AEDT. 

The match will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed on Kayo from 7.30pm. 

K rock Football will also be covering all the action on Friday night, tune into 95.5FM or krockfootball.live from 6.00pm to listen. 

2025 AFL Broadcast Guide

Geelong has capped off a historic night at GMHBA Stadium, kicking away in the final term to record an important 39 point victory over Melbourne. 

The match was a hard fought tussle for most of the night, the Cats keeping the Demons at arms length before kicking four unanswered goals in the last quarter to seal the deal. 

Zach Guthrie was sublime in defence collecting 30 disposals and taking 17 marks, well supported by a scintillating display from Cats captain, Patrick Dangerfield who booted three goals from his 20 disposals. 

Bailey Smith (28 disposals, eight tackles) and Gryan Miers (26 disposals, 10 marks) found plenty of the footy, while emerging talent Connor O'Sullivan performed brilliantly once again finishing with 23 disposals and 13 marks. 

After an early arm wrestle in the opening term, the Cats kicked clear late through goals to Rhys Stanley and Patrick Dangerfield, taking a healthy 15 point lead into the first break. 

Both teams held the ascendancy at times in a see-sawing second term, Geelong extending the margin out to 29 points early before Melbourne hit back, the Cats lead remaining at 15 points heading into half time. 

Geelong were leading most major statistics at the main break including disposals (+27), inside 50's (+4), marks (+38) and clearances (+1), but could not quite capitalise on the scoreboard. 

Jeremy Cameron was everywhere in the first half collecting 13 disposals and six score involvements, while Patrick Dangerfield (13 disposals, two goals) and Zach Guthrie (15 disposals, five intercepts) were heavily influential. 

The back and forth contest continued after half time, both teams kicking two goals in the third quarter as the Cats extended their lead ever so slightly, carrying a 16 point buffer into the final break. 

Shannon Neale and Shaun Mannagh landed two vital blows early in the last quarter with a pair of quick goals, before Tyson Stengle slammed the door shut with two majors of his own. 

Geelong were able to keep Melbourne goalless in the final term, as they closed out a 39 point victory at GMHBA Stadium. 

Attention now turns to another big clash in round five for Geelong, as they head to Adelaide Oval for a Thursday night clash with the Crows to kickstart the AFL's Gather Round. 

2025 AFL Season - Round Four

GEELONG          3.5      6.8     8.11     12.13    (85) 
MELBOURNE     1.2      4.5      6.7       6.10     (46)
 
GOALS 
Geelong: Dangerfield 3, Bowes, Stengle 2, Cameron, Stanley, De Koning, Neale, Mannagh 1
Melbourne: Petracca 2, Van Rooyen, Langford, Turner, Langdon 1

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Guthrie, Smith, Dempsey, Atkins
Melbourne: Oliver, Gawn, May, Petracca, Pickett 

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Guthrie 30, Smith 28, Miers, Dempsey 26, Stewart 24
Melbourne: Oliver 30, May 27, Pickett 22, Petracca 21, Bowey 20

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Mark Blicavs (Illness) replaced in the selected side by Rhys Stanley
Melbourne: Nil

INJURIES
Geelong: J.Henry (hamstring)
Melbourne: Nil
 
SUBSTITUTES 
Geelong: Mark O'Connor (replaced Jack Henry in the second quarter)
Melbourne: Charlie Spargo (replaced Harry Sharp in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 30,397 @ GMHBA Stadium