The VFL Cats have returned to the winner's list in a nail-biter on Sunday afternoon, claiming an important three-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium.

It was a game of cat and mouse for most of the afternoon, the Cats maintaining a lead for the majority of the match and Gold Coast pulling within striking distance late, all while battling through difficult, slippery conditions. 

Jhye Clark (31 disposals, 10 tackles) and George Stevens (32 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) both displayed excellent skill in the Cats midfield, continuing to impress to help their team claim a much needed win.

In tough conditions, Doyle Madigan (20 disposals) was heavily influential laying a game high 14 tackles that created crucial stoppages in the fourth term. Marcus Herbert (27 disposals, six tackles) had another great performance in Geelong’s backline, finishing with 11 intercept possessions which helped to disrupt Gold Coast’s attack.

Geelong were quick to hit the lead in the opening term as Patrick Retschko got boot-to-ball for an early Cats goal, before the Suns answered with two majors of their own as the teams battled it out in wet conditions.

Doyle Madigan and the Irish debutant, Cillian Burke put Gold Coast on the back foot with their pressure, sending Tobyn Murray into space to kick another major for the Cats, leaving them just two points behind at the first break.

The Cats gained ascendancy in the second term with a flurry of five goals, Burke hitting the scoreboard with a beautiful snap from the boundary for his first career goal, but a late trio of majors kept the Suns in it with Geelong taking a 13 point lead into half time. 

George Stevens and Jhye Clark were instrumental through the middle of the ground collecting 21 and 18 disposals respectively, playing important roles in creating repeat scoring opportunities for the Cats. 

Geelong had been dominant in most major categories during the first half, leading in disposals (+51), clearances (+11) and inside 50’s (+5), as they looked to continue the momentum after the main break.

The rain came down hard in the second half, but the harsh conditions didn’t slow down the Cats scoring capabilities with Oli Wiltshire booting his second goal for the match, while Kye Annand and Tanner Lewis followed with a major each.

Geelong's Top Performances

Gold Coast still managed to boot two goals in the quarter, but the Cats took a healthy 25 point buffer heading into the final term.

Jed Bews offered plenty of defensive support with six intercept possessions, as did Marcus Herbert with eight intercepts as the duo continued to be a defensive anchor for Geelong.

The fourth quarter was cinematic with the rain continuing to shower over GMHBA stadium. 

Gold Coast kicked four unanswered goals in the quarter, closing the gap to just three points but Geelong were able to lockdown the final minutes of the game, hanging on to record an important three point victory. 

In a relentless battle, Mitch Knevitt played a huge part in ensuring the ball was moving towards the Cats attacking end, finishing the game with 25 disposals and 10 inside 50’s to help keep Geelong ahead in an important win.

2025 VFL Season - Round 11

GEELONG CATS      2.1      7.4     10.10     10.12    (72) 
GOLD COAST          2.3      5.3       7.3       11.3     (69)
 
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Wiltshire 2, Stevens, Retschko, Polkinghorne, Murray, Lewis, Burke, Ballantyne, Annand 1
Gold Coast: Farrar 5, Sexton 2, Rosas, Read, Harris, Evans 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Stevens 32, Clark 31, Herbert 27, Knevitt 25, Retschko 24, Wiltshire 23
Gold Coast: Budarick 24, Rosas, Moyle, Jepson 21, Beikoff-Smart 17, Cameron 16

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong