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.
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.
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.
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00:51HighlightsHighlights
Training Highlights | First Week Of Pre-season
Geelong's full AFL team is back on the track and getting tucked into some training before the Christmas break.
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06:39PodcastPodcast
Locker Buddies Ep 1 | Zali Friswell & Chloe Scheer
In Geelong's newest podcast series, our AFL & AFLW players chat all things in and outside of footy in this short form format full of fun! Proudly Presented by Simonds Homes.
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04:22Press ConferencePress Conference
Jesse Mellor | Press Conference
Cat B Rookie Jesse Mellor spoke with media after training. Presented by Ford.
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10:24Press ConferencePress Conference
Harley Barker & Hunter Holmes | Press Conference
New Draftees Harley & Hunter spoke with the media after training. Presented by Ford.
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12:24FeatureFeature
Access The Draft | 2025 Draft Feature
Take a look behind what goes into an AFL clubs draft period with an exclusive look into Geelong’s recruiting and player development teams preparation for the draft. Match data, home visits, pick trading, draft night and the logistics of welcoming new people to the club all factor into selecting the newest Geelong players. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.
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03:20InterviewInterview
Off The Track | Lawson Humphries
Cats Media interviewed Lawson Humphries after his first day back at pre-season training.
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01:19HighlightsHighlights
Welcome, Nick Driscoll
The final signing of Geelong's 2025 Telstra AFL Draft period came in the way of Nick Driscoll from the Northern Knights in the Rookie Draft.
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05:26InterviewInterview
2025 Draft Wrap | Simon Murphy
Hear from Head of List & Recruiting Strategy & TPP Simon Murphy as he gives us an insight into the players we have drafted. Presented by Ford.
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02:13HighlightsHighlights
Welcome, Jesse Mellor
Jesse Mellor joins the club as a Category B Rookie, after a stunning u18's season.
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01:18HighlightsHighlights
Welcome, Hunter Holmes
Geelong have selected Hunter Holmes with Pick 33 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft!
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02:08HighlightsHighlights
Welcome, Harley Barker
Geelong have selected dashing winger, Harley Barker, with it's first selection in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
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04:24InterviewInterview
Draft Memories | Shaun Mannagh
Shaun Mannagh sits down with Cats Media and talks about the day he was drafted.
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04:18InterviewInterview
Draft Memories | Connor O'Sullivan
Connor O'Sullivan sits down with Cats Media and talks about the night he was drafted.
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draft
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
