It was certainly not a simple Saturday afternoon stroll for Geelong but their class and experience eventually shone through, a brilliant fourth quarter was enough to shake off a plucky North Melbourne outfit as the Cats recorded a 49-point win at GMHBA Stadium. 

Racing out of the blocks with a brilliant start, Geelong had to withstand a serious challenge from the visitors and even trailed midway through the third term, but a run of 13 goals to three for the Cats through the third and fourth quarters was enough to secure the four points. 

When the game was crying out for a hero, Max Holmes answered the call and his second half in particular was exquisite, finishing the game with 28 disposals, two goals and a staggering 802 metres gained, also generating six score involvements in a phenomenal outing. 

Shaun Mannagh (18 disposals, four goals) was well and truly back to his best form with a fantastic performance, while Shannon Neale (three goals) also capitalised in some big moments to help the Cats wrestle back the ascendancy.  

00:30

Mannagh's missile make it three as Cats blitz early

Shaun Mannagh launches a stunner from distance as Geelong continues its strong start

There was plenty of talk about Geelong's ball movement after Round 7 and the response was immediate, with the Cats showing a clear intent to shift the ball with speed and it paid off with three goals in the opening five minutes of the game. 

It laid the foundation for a solid opening term, but North Melbourne wrestled back the momentum and booted three unanswered goals to finish the quarter, trimming Geelong's lead to seven points at the first break. 

After a blistering start indicated that it could be a high-scoring contest, in the blink of an eye the Cats simply could not find an avenue to goal and combined with some uncharacteristic mistakes exiting defensive 50, it opened the door for North Melbourne to work their way back into the contest. 

Patrick Dangerfield would kick Geelong's lone goal in the second term, with the lead cut to a single point heading into half time. 

The Cats were getting beaten around the contest trailing the clearances (-6) and contested possession count (-21), but Max Holmes did his best to stem the bleeding, collecting 13 disposals and three intercept possessions in the first half while also generating 318 metres gained. 

Ollie Dempsey registered an equal game-high five score involvements, while the Irish duo of Mark O'Connor and Oisin Mullin both led the Cats with four intercept possessions. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - MAY 02: Max Holmes of the Cats is tackled by Caleb Daniel of the Kangaroos during the 2026 AFL Round 08 match between the Geelong Cats and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium on May 2, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

The tension around GMHBA Stadium was palpable and it was not eased in the early stages of the third quarter, as North Melbourne kicked the opening goal of the second half to take the lead for the first time in the match. 

But with the pressure mounting and the scoreboard starting to flip in favour of the visitors, Geelong responded and it started with Holmes, who found an answer and continued his brilliant afternoon with two goals later in the quarter. 

Then it was time for Shannon Neale to stamp his authority, plucking a big contested mark and booting two goals in the shadows of three quarter time, kicking the Cats 17 points clear heading into the final term. 

With momentum on their side, Geelong flexed their muscle and utilised their experience in a barnstorming fourth term, pulling away with an eight goal to two quarter to close out a 49 point win over North Melbourne. 

Securing their fifth win of the season and moving back inside the top eight, Geelong will now quickly turn their attention to an MCG blockbuster, as they prepare to take on Collingwood next Saturday night. 

2026 AFL Season - Round 8

GEELONG CATS             4.3    5.6   12.7   21.9   (135)  
NORTH MELBOURNE    3.2    5.5    9.8    13.8    (86) 

GOALS
Geelong Cats: Mannagh 4, Neale, Cameron 3, Martin, Holmes 2, Worpel, Humphries, Guthrie, Dempsey, Dangerfield, Bowes, Henry 1
North Melbourne: Duursma, Darling 3, McKercher, Simpkin 2, Sheezel, Larkey, Curtis 1

BEST
Geelong: Holmes, Mannagh, Bruhn, O'Sullivan, Cameron
North Melbourne: Xerri, Comben, McKercher, Davies-Uniacke, Darling, Duursma

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Jack Henry (foot soreness), replaced in the selected side by Jack Bowes
North Melbourne: Nil

CROWD: 32,485 @ GMHBA Stadium