The Cats have prevailed in another thriller on a cold, wet winter's afternoon in Geelong, defeating Gold Coast by 24 points at GMHBA Stadium. 

Scoring was hard to come by in difficult conditions throughout the match but the Cats had all the answers when it mattered most, pulling away with a three goal final term to claim their fourth consecutive win. 

Max Holmes was immense through the middle finishing with a career-high 40 disposals, 10 clearances and 862 metres gained, while Tyson Stengle proved to be a match winner kicking a game high four goals. 

Gryan Miers (26 disposals, one goal) and Tom Atkins (23 disposals, eight clearances) worked hard all night, Shaun Mannagh (23 disposals, six clearances) also pushing up around stoppages to great effect. 

Another brilliant strategic ploy from Geelong's coaching staff saw Mark O'Connor (21 disposals, 10 tackles) and Oisin Mullin (eight disposals, four tackles) both play effective negating roles, nullifying the impact of Gold Coast stars Noah Anderson and Touk Miller. 

As the rain set in and gradually intensified throughout the first term, Geelong were able to control general play and had an impact on the scoreboard booting two majors, holding Gold Coast goalless to take a 12 point lead into quarter time. 

The Cats deployed an intriguing strategy with Mark O'Connor playing a role against Gold Coast captain, Noah Anderson while Oisin Mullin also kept a close eye on Touk Miller, helping to nullify the Suns' star on-ballers early. 

Scoring continued to be hard to come by in the second term, Gold Coast flipping the momentum early before Geelong wrestled back the ascendancy, taking a seven point buffer into the main break. 

The Cats were strong in and around stoppages, finishing the first half with more contested possessions (+6) and more tackles (+5), while also accumulating 15 more marks than the Suns. 

Max Holmes found plenty of the footy collecting a game high 17 disposals in the first half, while Tom Atkins (14 disposals, four clearances) and Gryan Miers (14 disposals) continued their strong form. 

The tough, uncompromising contest continued in the third term as both teams found chances inside forward 50, but two goals from Tyson Stengle helped the Cats clear out to a handy 16 point buffer at the final break. 

Geelong dominated general play in the third term recording more clearances, inside 50's, disposals and contested possessions, Max Holmes and Tom Atkins continuing to lead the way through the middle of the ground. 

Recognised as one of the competition's top fourth quarter teams during the week, Geelong came up with all the answers in the final term as they professionally locked the game down. 

Ollie Dempsey drifted forward to hit the scoreboard, Miers followed suit and Stengle slotted his fourth major from a tight angle, the Cats pulling away to register a 24 point win at home. 

The victory is Geelong's fourth in a row, moving them into the top four for the first time since Round 1. 

The Cats will head back up the highway next week as they prepare to take on Essendon at the MCG. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 13

GEELONG CATS      2.2      4.4       6.7      9.7       (61) 
GOLD COAST          0.2      3.3       4.3      5.7       (37)

GOALS 
Geelong Cats: Stengle 4, Miers, Humphries, Dempsey, Close, Atkins 1
Gold Coast: Walter, Rowell, Long, King, Humphrey 1

BEST
Geelong: Holmes, Atkins, Stengle, Miers, Henry, O’Connor
Gold Coast: Jeffrey, Rowell, Powell, Humphrey, Fiorini 

DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Holmes 40, Miers 26, Stewart, Mannagh, Atkins 23
Gold Coast: Jeffrey 25, Rowell, Fiorini 24, Powell, Miller 20

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Bailey Smith, replaced in selected side by Ted Clohesy
Gold Coast: Ethan Read, replaced in selected side by Sean Lemmens

SUBSTITUTES 
Geelong Cats: Mitch Duncan (replaced Shannon Neale in the second quarter)
Gold Coast: Ben Ainsworth (replaced Leonardo Lombard in the third quarter)

CROWD: 29,502 @ GMHBA Stadium