Geelong's 2025 VFL season came to a close on Sunday afternoon, rounding out the year with a big win over Sydney at Tramway Oval. 

The Cats finished their campaign on a high with three consecutive wins but ultimately it was not quite enough, narrowly missing out on a Finals spot. 

There were plenty of positives to take away from the season including some dominant performances from emerging AFL-listed stars, nail-biting victories and brilliant form from VFL-listed players. 

Take a look at all the highlights from Geelong's 2025 VFL season. 

MATCH RESULTS

ROUND HOME TEAM AWAY TEAM RESULT
1 Sandringham 8.12 (60) Geelong 12.19 (91) +31
2 Geelong 13.12 (90) Northern Bullants 9.6 (60) +30
3 Geelong 16.13 (109) Casey Demons 14.9 (93) +16
4 Geelong 11.7 (73) Box Hill 18.11 (119) -46
5 Carlton 13.10 (88) Geelong 12.12 (84) -4
7 Geelong 11.9 (75) GWS Giants 16.11 (107) -32
8 Port Melbourne 6.15 (51) Geelong 6.11 (47) -4
9 Footscray 14.10 (94) Geelong 11.5 (71) -23
10 Williamstown 10.14 (74) Geelong 6.12 (48) -26
11 Geelong 10.12 (72) Gold Coast 11.3 (69) +3
12 Werribee 12.7 (79) Geelong 11.15 (81) +2
13 Geelong 12.13 (85) Brisbane 16.21 (117) -32
15 Geelong 12.11 (83) Richmond 14.4 (88) -5
16 GWS Giants 9.11 (65) Geelong 18.7 (115) +50
17 Geelong 8.12 (60) Collingwood 11.9 (75) -15
18 North Melbourne 15.12 (102) Geelong 16.8 (104) +2
20 Geelong 10.13 (73) Essendon 9.5 (59) +14
21 Sydney 10.6 (66) Geelong 16.15 (111) +45

LADDER POSITION

Geelong missed out on the VFL's Wildcard weekend by just one game and a bit of percentage, despite finishing the season on a three game winning streak. 

A run of six consecutive losses between Rounds 4 and 10 ultimately proved to be pivotal, with the Cats also losing three matches by less than a kick during the year. 

Position Team Points Percentage
10 Williamstown 40 104.7
11 Coburg 36 105.0
12 Geelong 36 100.4
13 Carlton 32 87.5

BEST WIN

Round 18 - North Melbourne 15.12 (102) def by Geelong 16.8 (104)

With their Finals hopes on the line, Geelong headed to Arden Street in Round 18 to take on North Melbourne and the contest turned into an instant classic on a cold and wet Sunday afternoon. 

The Cats were in full control early and opened up a game-high 41 point lead in the third quarter, before the Kangaroos stormed back into the contest and snatched the lead at the 27 minute mark of the final term. 

With one final roll of the dice, Geelong earned a free kick and 50 metre penalty deep in their forward half, Tobyn Murray kicking a goal after the siren to win the game for the Cats. 

Jay Polkinghorne kicked three majors in difficult conditions, George Stevens and Jhye Clark dominated through the middle of the ground, while Jed Bews stood tall in a number of crucial moments across half back. 

LEADING GOALKICKERS

Position Player Total Score Games Played
1 Jay Polkinghorne 31.17 17
2 Tobyn Murray 22.13 17
3 Oli Wiltshire 18.12 13
4 Patrick Retschko 13.11 18
5 Jamieson Ballantyne 12.9 11

LEADING DISPOSAL WINNERS

Position Player Total Disposals Games Played Ave Per
Game
1 Marcus Herbert 389 16 24.3
2 Patrick Retschko 379 18 21.1
2 George Stevens 379 14 27.1
4 Ted Clohesy 301 11 27.4
5 Jhye Clark 275 10 27.5

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Jay Polkinghorne

Just his first season with Geelong and Polkinghorne proved to be a reliable target inside 50, kicking at least one goal in 16 of his 17 games for the year and finishing with a total of 31 goals. 

The highlight of his year was a pair of four goal hauls, one in Round 12 against Richmond and another in the final round against Sydney, showing that he can have a big impact even in games where he only had limited disposals. 

With a brilliant goal sense and fantastic aerial ability, it will be exciting to see how Polkinghorne can build on his first season heading into 2026. 

Tobyn Murray

A picture of consistency across his 17 games this year, Murray was amongst the best of the Cats VFL-listed players nearly every week, playing a variety of roles as the team required. 

Murray finished the year with a total of 22 goals which was the second most of any Geelong player, hitting the scoreboard in his last nine consecutive matches. 

The highlight was an 18 disposal and five goal performance against GWS in Round 16, the sky is the limit for the 20 year old after a brilliant campaign. 

Patrick Retschko

Another Cat who produced plenty of brilliant moments in his first year at the club, Retschko impressed with his running capacity and ability to find the football while featuring in all 18 of Geelong's games this season. 

Retschko collected 20 disposals or more in 12 different games this season, while also pushing forward to hit the scoreboard on multiple occasions, finishing with 13 goals for the year. 

Showing plenty of positive signs, Retschko will be another one for Cats fans to keep an eye on as he heads into his second season at the club.