The 2025 AFLW season has arrived and the Cats are ready to commence an exciting campaign, kicking it off with a clash against the reigning premiers, North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. 

There is plenty to look forward to this year as Geelong looks to return to Finals, with a number of fresh faces joining the Cats during the off-season including Emma Kilpatrick and Piper Dunlop, who will both make their debut this weekend. 

Take a look at everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's season opener at GMHBA Stadium. 

Match Details | AFLW Round 1

Geelong Cats v Kangaroos 
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Saturday 16 August 2025  
First Bounce: 3:35pm AEST

Last Time We Met

Geelong and North Melbourne played out a thrilling contest at Arden Street in Round 2 last year, both sides producing moments of magic before the match ended in a draw. 

The Cats trailed by 18 points at half time but mounted a charge after the main break, Nina Morrison and Mikayla Bowen both kicking sensational goals late to level the scores, with Geelong ultimately the only team to take points off the Kangaroos in the entire 2024 season. 

Amy McDonald (27 disposals, 13 clearances) was at her brilliant best through the midfield, as was Nina Morrison (20 disposals, one goal) and Zali Friswell (18 disposals, seven tackles). 

Team Selection 

Key Player To Watch

Amy McDonald

It is crazy to think that a three-time best and fairest winner might be flying under the radar, but with the numerous storylines to keep an eye on for the Cats in Round 1, Amy McDonald has just quietly put herself in a strong position to attack the 2025 season. 

The star midfielder started the 2024 season in extraordinary form, averaging 22 disposals and nine clearances per game across the first four games of the year before a hamstring injury derailed her campaign. 

After a minor injury setback in the pre-season, McDonald returned to action in Geelong's practice match against the Gold Coast and showed plenty of postive signs, re-establishing one of the competition's most dominant midfield trios alongside Georgie Prespakis and Nina Morrison. 

While the Cats star studded on-ball division will get plenty of attention from opponents this year, they can ill-afford to take their eyes of McDonald as she looks to make an impact early in the 2025 season. 

Tickets & Membership

Tickets are still available for Saturday's game at GMHBA Stadium, secure your seat through Ticketmaster today. 

The best way to catch all the action this season is through a Geelong Cats AFLW membership, follow the link here to view all the options so you do not miss a minute of the action. 

If you have any questions about AFLW ticketing or membership please contact Geelong Cats Membership Services here. 

Broadcast  

Geelong's Round 1 clash with the Kangaroos will be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 3.30pm AEST, ahead of the opening bounce at 3.30pm. 

Broadcast Guide

Geelong Cats fought hard against North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos in wet conditions on Saturday, but the reigning premiers flexed their muscles late to pull away for a 30-point win.

The Cats' struggle to capitalise on a dominant third quarter proved costly, as North pulled away in the last to run out 8.3 (51) to 3.3 (21) winners.

The game began with free-flowing footy early featuring plenty of pressure and desperate smothers, in particular from Geelong. But play slowed right down in the second and third, with the Cats and Kangaroos trading respective scoreless quarters.

Winger Mikayla Bowen (27 disposals, 433 metres gained) and Georgie Prespakis (22 disposals, seven clearances) showed a lot to like for the home fans.

There was no one more apt to open the scoring than new North Melbourne captain, 2024 All-Australian captain and Grand Final best on ground winner Jasmine Garner (25 disposals).

After the Cats' patient build-up of kick-mark football, mayhem in the forward line led to Julia Crockett-Grills kicking their first goal. Jackie Parry then took a strong contested mark on the 50m line, before receiving a 50m penalty for encroachment of the protected area to make the conversion a certainty for their second.

The Kangaroos played with the ball a little too much inside their forward 50 in the first quarter for little result, passing around a few too many times before the Cats' defence mopped up.

North Melbourne lifted in the second quarter, with Geelong unable to get the ball out of their defensive half. However, the Roos were unable to capitalise on this dominance, leading inside 50s 10 to five in the second quarter with only a goal and two behinds to show for it.

The stricter interpretation of the holding the ball rule, as recently flagged by the AFL to support more free-flowing football, was on clear display. Garner reaped the rewards multiple times, finishing up with an equal game-high nine tackles alongside Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne.

Veteran Cat Kate Darby sat out the majority of the match with her calf strapped after an early injury, while debutant teammate ruck Piper Dunlop underwent an HIA in the second after coming off with a bloodied nose.

Despite the ball living in Geelong’s forward half for the third quarter, they simply could not take advantage. Aishling Moloney had multiple opportunities but hit the behind post and sent the ball twice out of bounds on the full either side of the posts.

Three quick goals by North opened the last quarter as the rain began to fall, ultimately shutting the door on a Geelong resurgence, with Crocket-Grills slotting a consolation second goal late.

Wet and wild
As the rain fell across the early afternoon in South Geelong and the sky threatened, you couldn’t be blamed for remembering the last meeting between these two sides in round two last year at Arden St Oval. A wet and windy affair ended in a draw, with Geelong ultimately becoming the only team to take premiership points from North Melbourne. The rain dried up by the time the game began at 3.35pm AEST, but began to flow freely again at the beginning of the last quarter. 

Up next
The tough task for Geelong only continues, facing powerhouse side Adelaide at Unley Oval on Sunday, August 24. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will unfurl the premiership flag at their first home game at Arden St Oval against Port Adelaide on the same day. 

2025 AFLW Season - Round 1

GEELONG CATS    2.0     2.0     2.2    3.3    (21)  
KANGAROOS        2.0     3.2     3.2    8.8    (51)  

GOALS
Geelong Cats: Julia Crockett-Grills 2, Jackie Parry
Kangaroos: Kate Shierlaw 2, Bogue 2, O'Loughlin, King, Garner, Eddey

BEST 
Geelong: Prespakis, McDonald, Morrison, Parry, Bowen
North Melbourne: Riddell, Garner, Shierlaw, Smith, Bogue, Rennie
 
INJURIES 
Geelong: Darby (calf), Parry (knee soreness) 
North Melbourne: Nil
  
Reports: Nil
 
Crowd: 2,764 @ GMHBA Stadium