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

  • 02:48
    Interview
    Interview

    Inside Pre-Season | Nigel Lappin

    Nigel Lappin gives us an inside look into Geelong's pre-season, as they prepare to 2026 AFL Premiership Season. Proudly Presented by Deakin University

    AFL
    Preseason
  • 05:03
    Feature
    Feature

    At Home Or Far Away | Mark O'Connor's Fairytale Final

    Relive the intimate moments behind Mark O'Connor and Dingle’s maiden All-Ireland Final victory, where mateship, connection, and community shone as fellow Cats travelled from far and wide to support one of our own from Geelong.

    AFL
  • 05:04
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Mark O'Connor Press Conference | All-Ireland Final Victory

    Mark O'Connor spoke to the media after his return from Ireland where he helped his hometown team Dingle secure their maiden All-Ireland Final win! Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFL
    Preseason
  • 01:17
    Feature
    Feature

    The Players React To Mark O'Connor's All-Ireland Victory

    The watchparty was in full voice as some of the players got together to watch Mark O'Connor and Dingle play in the All-Ireland Final.

    AFL
  • 07:37
    Interview
    Interview

    Andrew Mackie Interview | Pre-Season Update

    Hear from Andrew Mackie in this update on pre-season training ahead of State Of Origin and Opening Round.

    AFL
    Preseason
  • 01:27
    Feature
    Feature

    Inside Pre-Season | Jhye Clark

    Jhye Clark takes us inside his pre-season training. Presented by Deakin

    AFL
    Preseason
  • 04:32
    Podcast
    Podcast

    Locker Buddies Episode 4 | Shannon Neale & Ollie Dempsey

    With Opening Round around the corner, it's time to put our AFL players under the microscope and hit them with the tough questions! Shannon Neale and Ollie Dempsey kick the year off with another episode of Locker Buddies thanks to Simonds Homes.

    AFL
    podcasts
  • 08:26
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Tom Atkins Press Conference | Pre-Season

    Tom Atkins spoke to the media as Geelong prepare for the final block of training before the 2026 AFL Season begins. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFL
    Preseason
  • 01:14
    Community
    Community

    2025 Community Wrap

    Community Camps, Clinics, Colour your Clubs, Community Bays, Next Gen Academy, Wishes, BioCats, TRP. Take a look back at our year in the community.

    AFL
    Community
  • 03:03
    Interview
    Interview

    Nicola Stevens Interview | First Day at the Cattery

    Nicola Stevens spoke with Cats Media on her first day at the club. Proudly Presented by Ford and Deakin University.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 01:18
    Feature
    Feature

    We Are Geelong

    In 2026, We Are Geelong - are you? Join us today as a member.

    AFL
  • 01:39
    Interview
    Interview

    Glynn Harvey Interview | Carter-Costa Award Winner

    Glynn Harvey spoke to Cats Media after he received the Carter-Costa Award at Geelong's 2025 AGM.

    AFL
    Awards
  • 03:59
    Interview
    Interview

    Les Tyack Interview | Life Membership Induction

    Les Tyack spoke to Cats Media after his induction as a Life Member at the Geelong Cats.

    AFL
    Awards
  • 03:48
    Interview
    Interview

    Renee Morgan Interview | First Day at the Cattery

    Renee Morgan spoke with Cats Media on her first day at the club. Proudly Presented by Ford and Deakin University.

    AFLW
    draft
  • 02:53
    Interview
    Interview

    2025 Draft Wrap | Dom Condo

    Head of AFLW Dom Condo spoke with Cats Media after the 2025 AFLW Draft. Proudly Presented by Ford and Deakin University.

    AFLW
    draft
  • 06:02
    Feature
    Feature

    Access The Draft | AFLW Feature

    Go behind the scenes of Geelong's 2025 AFLW Draft as the Cats select 3 new players to join the Hoops. Proudly Presented by Ford & Deakin University.

    AFLW
    draft
  • 01:01
    Feature
    Feature

    Evie Cowcher & Priya Bowering Mic'd Up | AFLW Draft

    We put a microphone on our newest draftees during draft night. Presented by Ford and Deakin.

    AFLW
    draft
  • 01:24
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Welcome, Renee Morgan

    Cats Select Renee Morgan with Pick 43 in the AFLW Draft. Take a look at some of her highlights.

    AFLW
    draft
  • 01:15
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Welcome, Priya Bowering

    Cats Select Priya Bowering with Pick 27 in the AFLW Draft. Take a look at some of her highlights.

    AFLW
    draft
  • 01:19

    Welcome, Evie Cowcher

    The Cats select Evie Cowcher with Pick 11 in the AFLW Draft. Take a look at some of her highlights.

    AFLW
    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