There were plenty of standout performances on Saturday afternoon, as Geelong stormed home to clinch a sensational 10 point victory over Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium. 

After trailing by as much as 35 points midway through the second quarter, the Cats showed plenty of resilience and heart as they fought their way back into the contest, in what was a high-scoring and free-flowing game of football. 

Take a look at some of the key performers from Geelong's Round 1 victory below. 

Shannon Neale

Nine Disposals, Five Goals, Four Contested Marks

When the game was there to be won, the Cats turned to their biggest presence inside forward 50 and Shannon Neale did not let his side down. 

Clunking a game-high four contested marks, Neale continually threatened in the air and crashed packs to hold Fremantle's defenders accountable, ultimately getting reward for effort in a brilliant second half. 

In a decisive stretch through the third quarter, the big Cat kicked three consecutive goals which significantly helped to close the margin, bringing Geelong back within striking distance heading into the final term. 

It ultimately ended in an equal career-high five goals for Neale, who combined brilliantly with Jeremy Cameron to help the Cats hit the scoreboard frequently and he played a big hand in a crucial victory. 

Gryan Miers

25 Disposals, Three Goal Assists, 88% Disposal Efficiency

Many may forget that Gryan Miers was in doubt for Geelong's season opener on the Gold Coast, but the clever Cat has shown absolutely no signs of any lingering effects after making a stellar start to the campaign. 

He was simply brilliant again on Saturday afternoon and his creativity by foot continues to pick opposition teams apart, collecting 25 disposals and going at an ultra impressive 88% efficiency. 

Miers went on to record three goal assists and eight score involvements against the Dockers, while also spending significant minutes in the midfield to give the Cats a different look around stoppages. 

Jeremy Cameron 

23 Disposals, Three Goals, 11 Score Involvements

He could have been excused for showing a bit of rust on return, but such is the class of Jeremy Cameron that he was back at his brilliant best right from the word go in Round 1.

When the pressure was being mounted on the Cats in the opening half, Cameron provided relief on the scoreboard with three goals before the main break, before roaming up the ground to get involved higher up as the Cats staged their comeback. 

The reigning Coleman Medallist finished with an equal game-high 11 score involvements from his 23 disposals, having a big say in proceedings and setting the tone for a big 2026 season.  

Max Holmes 

32 Disposals, 10 Score Involvements, Five Clearances

It was an ultra consistent performance from Geelong's superstar midfielder, with Max Holmes having a strong influence right across all four quarters and helping the Cats to match Fremantle's on-ball division when the game was up for grabs. 

Holmes finished with a game-high 32 disposals and collected five clearances to go with it, also amassing 10 score involvements to have an impact heading inside forward 50. 

His run and carry was a feature and has clearly continued on from 2025, with Holmes accumulating 657 metres gained while still going at an impressive 78% disposal efficiency. 

Tom Stewart 

27 Disposals, 10 Marks, Eight Intercept Possessions

The heat was certainly on early as the Dockers piled on eight goals in the opening term, but the Cats were able to settle defensively and it was led by Tom Stewart, as they held Fremantle goalless in the final quarter. 

Stewart ended the evening with 27 disposals and took 10 marks, but he was also able to crash packs and often landed a pivotal spoil in a marking contest to help break up numerous Fremantle forays forward. 

He ultimately finished with a game-high eight intercept possessions, also recording seven rebounds 50s for good measure as Stewart continued to look better and better as the game wore on.