Geelong are set to kickoff their 2025 AFL season on Saturday, hosting Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium from 1.20pm AEDT. 

It is expected to be a hot contest in more ways than one, with scorching temperatures forecasted for the Geelong area on Saturday afternoon. 

The Cats will be facing a strong Fremantle outfit, a team that many are expecting to be very competitive in 2025. 

With names like Serong and Brayshaw running around in the midfield, it will be a stern test for Geelong to commence their campaign. 

2024 Results 

Geelong
3^rd on Ladder (15-8)
Eliminated in Preliminary Final

Fremantle
10th on ladder (12-10-1)
Missed Finals

Winning the Midfield Battle

Fremantle finished 2024 as one of the top ranked midfield units in the league, winning the clearance battle in 18 of their 23 games during the home and away season. 

Their impressive on-ball division was led by Caleb Serong, who finished fourth in the competition for clearances with an average of 7.61 per game, while also being well supported by Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young. 

Geelong on the flip side struggled slightly through the middle last year, with Patrick Dangerfield and Max Holmes among the club's best clearance winners finishing tied for 58th across the competition in 2024. 

However in the only clash between these two teams last year, the Cats actually won the clearance battle (35-32), something tey will be looking to repeat on Saturday. 

Restricting the Rebounding Half Backs

Another area that Fremantle excel in is their rebounding prowess, led by defenders Luke Ryan and Jordan Clark. 

Ryan was the main distributor for the Dockers last year, averaging over 24 disposals per game and finishing as the number one player for rebound 50s in the competition (7.39 per game). His ability was particularly evident in the clash against Geelong, accumulating 36 disposals and 951 metres gained. 

He was supported by Jordan Clark, who finished 13th in the AFL for uncontested possessions, 16th for rebound 50s and 9th for effective kicks in 2024. 

Finding an Avenue to Goal

Well renowned as one of the league's stingiest defensive units, Fremantle conceded the least total points of any team in the competition last year, giving up an average of just 76.3 points per game. 

Again this was evident in the clash with the Cats near the end of last year, with only 135 points scored for the entire match and Geelong securing the win with just 73 total points. 

In fact across the last four matches against the Dockers, Geelong's highest score is 77 points, only scoring 80 points or more in two of the last nine clashes against Fremantle. 

Entering 2025 with a dynamic and potent forward line, the Cats will need to find a way through the Dockers defence on Saturday afternoon. 

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