The 2025 AFLW season has arrived and Geelong are preparing to kick start their campaign, set to square off the reigning champions, the Kangaroos on Saturday afternoon.
It is an interesting matchup for the Cats to commence the year, with Geelong never having beaten North Melbourne in their AFLW history, but the last five clashes all decided by 12 points or less.
The Kangaroos did not drop a game in an impressive 2024 campaign, but the Cats were the only team to steal points off the eventual premiers, with the two teams fighting out a draw in Round 2.
Check out all the important features of the Kangaroos game in the first AFLW opposition analysis for 2025, proudly presented by Deakin University.
2024 Results
Geelong: 10th
H&A Record: 4-6-1
Percentage: 109.6
Kangaroos: Premiers
H&A Record: 10-0-1
Percentage: 315.4
Finals Record: 3-0
Recent History - Geelong v Kangaroos
| GAME | HOME | AWAY | VENUE |
| Round 2, 2024 | North Melbourne 5.6 (36) | Geelong 5.6 (36) | Arden Street Oval |
| Round 3, 2023 | Geelong 3.4 (22) | North Melbourne 4.7 (31) | GMHBA Stadium |
| Elimination Final, 2022 (S7) |
Geelong 1.8 (14) | North Melbourne 2.4 (16) | GMHBA Stadium |
| Round 4, 2022 (S7) | North Melbourne 4.4 (28) | Geelong 2.4 (16) | York Park |
| Round 1, 2022 (S6) | North Melbourne 4.2 (26) | Geelong 2.6 (18) | Arden Street Oval |
Deakin Performance Stat of the Week: The Efficiency Inside 50
Despite recording three losses and a draw in their last four clashes with the Kangaroos, Geelong have actually controlled general play for large portions of each match, but have struggled to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Across the last four games between the two sides, Geelong has registered 38 more inside 50 entries than North Melbourne (144-106) but the Roos have been far more efficient in front of goal, recording 36 scoring shots to the Cats 33.
This gives Geelong a 22.9% efficiency inside forward 50 in comparison to the Kangaroos 34.0%, a big factor behind North Melbourne's winning streak.
The Cats will need to reverse this trend on Saturday if they want to kick off their season on a positive note, look for forwards like Aishling Moloney and Jackie Parry to get dangerous and provide avenues to goal.
| GAME | Geelong's Efficiency Inside 50 | Kangaroos' Efficiency Inside 50 |
| Round 2, 2024 | 36.1% | 56.0% |
| Round 3, 2023 | 25.0% | 42.4% |
| Elimination Final, 2022 (S7) |
17.1% | 33.3% |
| Round 4, 2022 (S7) | 25.7% | 40.0% |
Kangaroos Player to Watch - Jasmine Garner
Stacked full of talent, there are plenty of Kangaroos players to keep an eye on this week but there are none better six time All-Australian, Jasmine Garner.
Garner has played a telling role in all of North Melbourne's victories over Geelong, including Round 2 last year which she massed 33 disposals, seven clearances and nine tackles.
This continued on from her form against the Cats in Round 3, 2023 (32 disposals, 12 tackles, 12 clearances), the 2022 - Season 7 elimination final (23 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances) and Round 4, 2022 - Season 7 (22 disposals, three clearances).
Stopping Garner will go a long way to producing a positive result for the Cats on the weekend.
Where Geelong Can Improve - Contested Possession
Following on from the importance of stopping Jasmine Garner, Geelong will also need to improve in and around the contest from their recent meetings with the Kangaroos.
North Melbourne have been able to dominate the contested possession numbers, winning the count in four of the last five games against Geelong with a total differential of +34.
The most significant differential came in Round 2 last year, when the Kangaroos finished +20 as the two sides fought out a draw at Arden Street, but it will be an area that Dan Lowther's side will need to improve on this weekend.
