Geelong has clinched a top two spot and locked in a home Qualifying Final, after cruising to a 39 point win over Richmond at the MCG on Saturday. 

After gaining the ascendancy early, the Cats did what they needed to as they held Richmond goalless for a 68-minute period through the middle of the match, getting through the unscathed with September right around the corner. 

Tom Stewart was sensational in defence for Geelong finishing with 23 disposals, nine intercept possessions and seven score involvements to continue his brilliant form. 

The dynamic midfield duo of Bailey Smith (34 disposals, seven clearances) and Max Holmes (26 disposals) generated plenty of run and carry to spark the Cats ball movement, while Gryan Miers (26 disposals) featured prominently throughout the afternoon. 

The milestones kept coming for Tom Atkins on Saturday, eclipsing the record for most tackles laid in a single season (202), in what was also his 150th AFL game. 

00:42

Manic Mannagh and superb Stanley hand Cats control

Shaun Mannagh chases down Sam Banks and finishes his work in an impressive play before Rhys Stanley snaps nicely from an almost identical spot

Back on the wide expanses of the MCG for the first time in 10 weeks, Geelong took no time getting going with a six goal opening term to build a healthy 29-point lead by quarter time. 

Inaccuracy in front of the big sticks prevented the Cats from stretching the margin even further, registering 13 scoring shots in the first quarter alone, led by a dominant start from Ollie Dempsey who recorded five score involvements. 

Geelong put the foot down in a dominant second term, slamming through five unanswered goals while holding Richmond to a solitary behind, the lead swelling out to 63-points at the main break. 

The big takeaway from the first half was the Cats efficiency in their forward half, registering 23 scoring shots from 32 inside 50s for a conversion rate of 71.9%. Geelong have been the best rated team in the competition in that statistic this year with an average of 54%.

Tom Stewart (13 disposals, eight intercept possessions, six score involvements) patrolled half back with brilliance, Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals to move his season tally into the 80's, while Bailey Smith (18 disposals, six score involvements) was able to utilise his elite running capacity and found plenty of space. 

00:34

Skilful Dempsey goes himself with beautiful boundary finish

Ollie Dempsey finds space in the pocket and backs his ability to drill it home from the angle

The Cats were sound defensively, keeping Richmond goalless for a 68-minute period between the first and third quarters but the scoring dried up for Geelong after half time, narrowly growing their lead to 65-points at the final break. 

Gryan Miers and Tom Atkins found the footy with ease in the third term amassing 17 disposals between them, while Atkins also laid four tackles to tie the all time season record. 

Holding an unassailable lead at three quarter time, Geelong did what they needed to in the final term as they closed out a 39 point victory. 

The Cats will finish the home and away season in second position and will host a Qualifying Final, but will await the rest of the results this weekend to see who their opponent will be. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 24

RICHMOND    2.2      2.3       4.6       9.10    (64)  
GEELONG        6.7      11.12    13.17    14.19   (103)  

GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 3, Prestia, Campbell 2, Mansell, Brown 1
Geelong: Cameron 4, Stengle, Mannagh, Dangerfield 2, Stanley, Martin, Dempsey, Bowes 1

BEST
Richmond: Taranto, Prestia, Hopper, Brown, Banks
Geelong: Smith, Holmes, Miers, Stewart, Cameron

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Geelong: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Luke Trainor (replaced Josh Gibcus in the third quarter)
Geelong: Mitch Knevitt (replaced Mark Blicavs in the fourth quarter)

CROWD: 46,109 @ MCG