Geelong will be looking to close out their year on a positive note, when they take on Melbourne in the final round of the AFLW home and away season on Saturday night. 

After registering a strong victory over the Bulldogs last week, the Cats have the chance to take another big scalp against the Demons this weekend, who currently sit in third place on the ladder. 

While it would take a minor miracle for Geelong to sneak into the Finals, it still presents an opportunity to start building momentum and optimism heading into 2026. 

Check out all the main details you need to know ahead of Saturday night's blockbuster clash at GMHBA Stadium.

Match Details | AFLW Round 12

Geelong Cats v Melbourne
Saturday November 1
Bounce: 7:15pm AEDT
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Last Time We Met

Geelong's most recent clash against Melbourne came in the opening round of the 2024 season, with the teams going toe-to-toe for much of the night before the Demons prevailed by two points in a thriller at GMHBA Stadium. 

The biggest lead at any break was six points, with eight points the biggest margin at any stage throughout the night, both teams trading blows throughout the match but Geelong could not get their noses in front in the dying moments. 

Amy McDonald was the standout for the Cats finishing with 28 disposals, nine clearances and nine tackles, while Becky Webster (20 disposals, seven tackles) and Jackie Parry (13 disposals, two goals) were both influential.

Team Selection 

Key Players To Watch

Meg McDonald & Kate Darby

The match is set to be a special one for more than one reason, as the club prepares to farewell Meg McDonald and Kate Darby after the pair announced their retirement during the week. 

McDonald will depart as Geelong's longest serving AFLW captain, leading the side for six seasons and preparing to play her 72nd game in the blue and white Hoops on Saturday night. 

Darby has been regarded as one of the strongest presences both on and off the field for Geelong throughout her career, set to play her 57th and final match for the Cats against Melbourne. 

Geelong will also take the opportunity to farewell Shelley Scott on Saturday night who announced her retirement during the week, but she will unfortunately miss the match through injury. 

Tickets

Geelong fans can purchase tickets for Saturday's clash through Ticketmaster, follow the link to secure your seat. 

Adults can purchase tickets for $15, while juniors under the age of 18 can secure a free ticket for the big game. 

Broadcast  

Geelong's Round 12 clash with Melbourne will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7mate, while also being streamed through 7plus from 7.00pm AEDT ahead of the opening bounce at 7.15pm.

The match will also be broadcast through Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 7.00pm. 

Follow @catswomens social media channels for updates pre, during and post game.

Broadcast Guide

Geelong's 2025 AFLW campaign has come to a end on Saturday night, falling to Melbourne by 14 points at GMHBA Stadium in the final round of the home and away season. 

After a competitive first half, Geelong could not match Melbourne's offensive prowess in the third term as they kicked away to an unassailable lead, the Cats closing the gap late but it ultimately was not enough.

The Geelong Football Club got the opportunity to farewell a trio of iconic players including long-serving skipper Meg McDonald (eight disposals), Kate Darby (six disposals, four tackles) and Shelley Scott, with all three announcing their retirement at the end of the 2025 season. 

Georgie Prespakis (32 disposals, eight clearances) and Mikayla Bowen (30 disposals, two goals) finished their incredible seasons with another pair of impressive performances, while Nina Morrison (19 disposals, two goals) did everything she could to lift her team throughout the night. 

The Cats manufactured plenty of scoring opportunities early and controlled plenty of the play around the ground, Aishling Moloney kicking the opening goal to give Geelong a narrow one point lead at quarter time. 

A telling factor in the first quarter was Geelong's pressure, laying 12 more tackles (22-10) than Melbourne to help restrict the Demons to just one goal from 12 inside-50 entries.

Moloney was influential early registering three score involvements in the opening term, while Becky Webster and Rachel Kearns were strong defensively, combining for six intercept possessions.

Both teams engaged in a fascinating battle during the second quarter, Nina Morrison kicked an extraordinary goal but Melbourne answered with two of their own, leaving the Cats four points adrift heading into the main break.

Georgie Prespakis continued her strong run of form collecting 16 disposals and four clearances in the first half, while Webster (13 disposals, six intercepts) and Morrison (10 disposals, five tackles) were among Geelong's best. 

Morrison hit the scoreboard once again in the third term, as did Mikayla Bowen but Melbourne were able to kick five goals of their own, extending the margin to 23 points heading into the final term.

The two teams traded goals in the last quarter, but Melbourne were able to do enough to run the clock out, the Cats falling by 14 points in their final game of the 2025 season.

2025 AFLW Season - Round 12

GEELONG CATS    1.3    2.5    4.6    6.9    (45)
MELBOURNE        1.2    3.3    8.5    9.5    (59)    

GOALS
Geelong Cats: Morrison, Bowen 2, Moloney, Mason 1
Melbourne: Zanker 4, Wotherspoon, Hore, Harris, Hanks, Gillard 1

BEST
Geelong Cats: Morrison, Prespakis, Kearns, Bowen, A. McDonald
Melbourne: Hanks, Harris, Zanker, Heath, Chaplin, Hore

INJURIES
Geelong Cats: Nil
Melbourne: Hore (head knock)

Crowd: 2,214 at GMHBA Stadium