It has been a season of ebbs and flows so far for the VFL Cats in 2025, currently sitting in 15th position on the ladder as they head into their second last bye week of the year.

Geelong started the season in sensational form before struggling to find form for a number of weeks, turning it around late with two wins from their last three games prior to the bye. 

Tight victories against Gold Coast and reigning VFL premiers, Werribee have kept the Cats in the hunt for Finals with six games remaining in the home and away season.

Check out a full breakdown of Geelong's season so far and what is still to come in the final stretch of the year. 

MATCH RESULTS

Three consecutive wins to start the season had Geelong firmly entrenched in the top eight, but their fortunes changed from Round 4 onwards as the Cats then suffered six straight defeats. 

With the chance to play Finals slowly slipping away, Geelong rallied prior to the bye and secure two important victories over Gold Coast and Werribee, keeping their hopes alive with six games remaining. 

LADDER POSITION

The VFL has adapted a new Finals format over the past two seasons, with the top 10 on the ladder now qualifying for the post-season instead of the traditional top eight. 

Week One of the VFL Finals is known as the Wildcard Round, which sees seventh place on the ladder face tenth position and eighth place squares off with ninth, the winners of those matches progressing to the following round. 

As it stands, Geelong sit in 15th place on the ladder but are just six points behind 10th position on the ladder, which is currently occupied by Casey.

Last year teams needed 10 wins to finish in the top 10 spots on the ladder, meaning Geelong will likely need to win five of their last six matches to reach the post-season. 

BEST WIN

Round 11 - Geelong 10.12 (72) def Gold Coast 11.3 (69)

Desperately needing a win to get their season back on track, Geelong returned home in Round 11 after a three game road trip, taking on the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium. 

In wet and slippery conditions, the Cats pulled away with a brilliant period of football through the middle of the match, kicking eight goals between the second and third quarters to build a 25 point lead at three quarter time. 

Despite being held goalless in the last term, Geelong were able to stave off a strong challenge from the Suns and secured a three point win, snapping their six game losing streak and reigniting their 2025 campaign. 

George Stevens (32 disposals, six clearances) was immense in tough conditions, Jhye Clark (31 disposals, 10 tackles) worked hard all day and Oli Wiltshire (24 disposals, two goals) was able to handle the conditions better than anyone. 

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Patrick Retschko

In his first year with Geelong, Patrick Retshcko has quickly adapted to the higher level of football and has not looked out of place in a brilliant debut season. 

Using his elite running capacity and speed, Retschko has been able to find space right across the ground averaging 20.4 disposals, 3.4 marks and 3.3 inside 50's per game, also pushing into the midfield to have an impact around stoppages at times. 

One of the most impressive facets of his game this year has been the ability to push forward and impact the scoreboard, kicking 12 goals across his 12 games while only failing to boot a major in two matches so far in 2025. 

Marcus Herbert

Geelong's VFL vice-captain has certainly lead by example in 2025, amassing plenty of the footy each week while being used as the Cats main distributor off half back with his elite ball-use. 

Herbert is averaging 25.7 disposals per game in 2025, his consistency has been remarkable amassing 20 disposals or more in every game except one this season. 

Working hard to impact the game at both ends of the ground, Herbert has also been able to accumulate plenty of intercept possessions and score involvements to be one of the Cats most influential players so far this year. 

George Stevens

After a solid first season with Geelong, George Stevens has taken his game to a whole new level in 2025 with a dominant stretch of games to this point of the season. 

Stevens' ball-winning ability has been on full display, averaging 26.4 disposals per game while accumulating 30 disposals or more on three different occasions. 

But perhaps the most impressive part of his game has been the dominance around stoppages, averaging 7.6 clearances and 6.2 tackles per game to be a prime mover through the middle of the ground for Geelong. 

STILL TO COME

The next month could decide the fate of the Cats 2025 VFL campaign, with a number of key matches against sides currently entrenched inside the top 10. 

Geelong will return from the bye for a clash with ninth placed Richmond in Round 15, before heading to ENGIE Stadium to take on the GWS Giants for the second time this year in Round 16. 

Round 17 is set to be another big battle against Collingwood, Round 18 will see the Cats head to Arden Street for a clash with North Melbourne enjoying their final bye week in Round 19. 

The final two weeks of the home and away season will see Geelong face Essendon and Sydney, all matches set to be pivotal if the Cats are to make a charge towards Finals this year.