Geelong have not had many better wins in recent history than their most recent clash with Adelaide, on the opening night of the AFL's 2025 Gather Round at Adelaide Oval. 

Kicking off the weekend's festivities in front of a rocking crowd in the City of Churches, the Cats had to withstand an early storm as Adelaide rolled with the momentum in the opening half. 

But behind some mega performances from Jeremy Cameron, Bailey Smith and Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong clawed their way back into the contest in a high-scoring and entertaining game of football. 

To get ready for Thursday's big game, take a look back at the last time the Cats and Crows squared off.  

03:16

Cats Storm Home At Gather Round | Game Film

In further proof that you can never count the Cats out, Geelong fought back from a 30-point deficit to claim an important four points against Adelaide.

Both teams traded blows in an entertaining opening term and the Cats only trailed by a narrow margin at the first break, but it was the second quarter where Adelaide made their big move. 

Four goals in the second term to Darcy Fogarty put the Crows 30 points clear at one stage, but Geelong were able to steady just before half time with four of the last five majors of the quarter. 

It limited the damage and pulled the margin back to just 12 points at the main break, inspired by a combined 32 disposals from on-ballers Max Holmes and Bailey Smith, while Dangerfield kicked two goals against his old side. 

The tension was palpable as the game hung in the balance to start the third quarter, Geelong making a dream start with back to back goals from Holmes and Brad Close. 

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Shannon Neale of the Cats is tackled by Sid Draper of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 05 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on April 10, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

But just as it looked like Geelong might be taking control of the contest, Adelaide responded with three of the last four goals in the quarter to re-establish an eight point buffer at three quarter time. 

In a see-sawing battle between two of the competition's best teams, nobody could predict what was going to happen next. 

As it turned out, it was time for Geelong's brightest stars to shine. 

In an incredible 10 minute burst, Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield piled on four unanswered goals, kicking two apiece to put the Cats clear and setting them firmly on the path to victory. 

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Oliver Dempsey of the Cats kicks a goal during the round five AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval, on April 10, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Cameron would add one more in the final minutes to take his tally to four goals for the night, matching Dangerfield's total and helping the Cats to clinch an incredible 19 point win in one of the best games of the season. 

Smith (35 disposals, one goal) was immense and played a crucial role in turning the tide through the middle, while Tom Atkins (23 disposals, nine clearances) and Ollie Dempsey (21 disposals, two goals) were also pivotal in the result. 

Geelong will be looking for more of the same as they prepare to take on Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night, secure your seat through Ticketmaster via the link below. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 5

ADELAIDE    5.3    11.6    14.10   15.10   (100) 
GEELONG     4.4     9.6     13.8    18.11   (119)

GOALS
Adelaide: Fogarty 4, Keays 3, Walker 2, Rankine 2, Curtin, Taylor, Draper, Thilthorpe
Geelong: Dangerfield 4, Cameron 4, Close 2, Dempsey 2, Guthrie, Henry, Neale, Bowes, Holmes, Smith

BEST
Adelaide: Keays, Fogarty, Peatling, Rankine, Crouch, Laird
Geelong: Dangerfield, Smith, Holmes, Cameron, Atkins, O'Sullivan

Crowd: 50,073 at the Adelaide Oval