GEELONG'S unbeaten start to the season has ended at seven with an eight-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.

The 10.14 (74) to 9.12 (66) result also sees the Cats drop from top spot, handing the role of ladder leader to Sydney.

DEMONS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

In a bizarre stretch from late in the first quarter to early in the third both teams failed to kick a goal, managing to slot 14 behinds between them.

Eventually Kade Chandler squeezed through a set shot, followed by an amazing left foot snap from Tyson Stengle and normal play resumed.

00:38

Clark’s First Goal For Cats

Jhye Clark finds a pocket of space and drills through his first career goal at a timely moment

Both clubs have already established their bona fides as premiership contenders and the match played out - wayward finishing aside - as a high-quality contest.

There was less than a goal in it at each change of ends, with Geelong holding a two-point lead at three-quarter time.

Melbourne kicked the first two goals of the final term and the momentum seemed to be running the Demons' way, but the Cats slotted the next two to edge back in front.

Then it was Kysaiah Pickett and Caleb Windsor for Melbourne, answered by the unlikely Zach Guthrie.

07:31

Chris Scott Post Game | Round 8

Watch Geelong’s press conference after round eight’s match against Melbourne

Just when it seemed Geelong would find the next to again snatch the lead it was an amazing matchwinner and Goal of the Year contender at the other end of the ground from Bayley Fritsch that sealed the win.

Max Holmes was Geelong's major ball winner with an equal game-high 31 disposals and 695 metres gained.

Zach Guthrie (24 disposals, 1 goal), Tom Atkins (22 disposals, 11 tackles), Gryan Miers (22 disposals, 8 score involvements) and Tom Stewart (21 disposals, 6 marks) were also busy on the night.

Geelong will return to GMHBA Stadium to host Port Adelaide on Friday night at 7.10pm. 

Latest Videos

  • 05:25

    Rowan Marshall's first day in the Hoops

    Rowan Marshall arrived for day 1 of his time at Geelong, hear what he had to say speaking to Cats Media. Proudly Presented by Mitre 10.

    AFL
  • 06:52
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Mick Stinear Post Match Press Conference | Round 9

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round nine’s match against GWS

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 06:55
    Interview
    Interview

    8 STRAIGHT! | Post Game Roaming Round 9

    Joins the Cats rooms after they made it 8 straight wins! Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFL
    aflw
  • 06:12
    Highlights
    Highlights

    AFLW Highlights: Geelong v GWS

    The Cats and Giants clash in round nine of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:42
    Highlights
    Highlights

    'This woman is extraordinary!': Moloney's magical Goal of the Year contender

    Aishling Moloney continues to wreak havoc, selling candy before slotting a stunning major from range to stake her claim for Goal of the Year

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:33
    Highlights
    Highlights

    'Batman' Bowen rises to occasion with sweet strike

    Mikayla Bowen dons a Batman-style mask and slots a superb goal in congestion as her side piles on more pain

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:51
    Highlights
    Highlights

    ‘Purring’ Parry’s quickfire double

    Jackie Parry makes an early impact on the scoreboard with consecutive goals in similar fashion

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:45
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Marvelous Moloney on the board early

    Aishling Moloney nails the opening goal in the first minute of the game with a brilliant checkside finish

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:19
    Highlights
    Highlights

    AFLW Team Song: Geelong

    Watch the Cats celebrate their round nine win

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 01:35
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Welcome, Rowan Marshall | Trade Period Highlights

    Accomplished ruck Rowan Marshall has joined the Cats during the Continental Tyres Trade Period.

    AFL
    trade
  • 10:32

    Mick Stinear Press Conference | AFLW Round 9

    Mick Stinear spoke to the media ahead of Geelong's Round 9 clash with the GIANTS at home. Proudly Presented by Ingenia Holiday Parks.

    AFLW
  • 09:06
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Rowan Marshall Press Conference | Trade Period Recruit

    Geelong have acquired Rowan Marshall during the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, he spoke to the media thismorning. Proudly Presented by Mitre 10.

    AFL
    trade
  • 03:39
    Interview
    Interview

    Boundary Walk with Jordan Ridley

    Learn more about Geelong's newest recruit, defender Jordan Ridley and his reasons for signing with the Cats in 2027.

    AFL
    trade
  • 33:42
    Podcast
    Podcast

    Yeah The Girls! Ep7 | Shutting The Lid On The Toilet

    Join Becky, G and Gunj for Episode 7 of the Yeah The Girls! Podcast! On this ep we chat about our Round 8 victory against Richmond, we catch up with Chantel Emonson and hear about how she juggles motherhood with professionally and Nina raises plenty of great questions around toilet etiquette.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 05:06
    Feature
    Feature

    Connected In Pride | Pride Week Feature

    Watch on as various Geelong people speak to the meaning of Pride week, ahead of Geelong's Round 9 AFLW home game against the GIANTS.

    AFL
    aflw
  • 01:08
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Welcome, Jordan Ridley | Trade Period Highlights

    Geelong have secured Jordan Ridley from the Bombers in a trade during the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.

    AFL
    trade
  • 06:29
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Andrew Mackie Press Conference | Continental Tyres Trade Period

    EGM of Football Andrew Mackie spoke at the opening day of the Continental Tyres Trade Period today at Marvel Stadium. Proudly Presented by Mitre 10.

    AFL
    trade
  • 2:08:30
    Event
    Event

    2026 Carji Greeves Medal Full Replay

    Watch all the speeches and moments of the Carji Greeves Medal night.

    AFL
    Awards
  • 05:57
    Interview
    Interview

    7th Heaven | Roaming Post Game AFLW Round 8

    The Cats have won their 7th game in a row, putting away a feisty Tigers outfit to run out 34 point winners. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 06:29

    Mick Stinear Post Match Press Conference | AFLW Round 8

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round eight’s match against Richmond

    AFLW

MELBOURNE     3.2     3.7     5.14     10.14     (74)
GEELONG           2.4     2.8     6.10     9.12     (66)

GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 3, Pickett 2, Petty, Chandler, Langdon, Gawn, Windsor
Geelong: O.Henry 3, Stengle 2, Dempsey, Clark, Close, Z.Guthrie

BEST
Melbourne: Lever, Petracca, Gawn, Oliver, Fritsch, May
Geelong: Holmes, Z.Guthrie, Atkins, Stewart, Miers

INJURIES
Melbourne: TBC
Geelong: Bruhn (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Bailey Laurie, replaced Jack Billings in the fourth term
Geelong: Gary Rohan, replaced Tanner Bruhn in the third term

Crowd: 51,795 at the MCG