Geelong has been defeated in heartbreaking fashion for the second straight week, falling to Adelaide by one point in a Thursday night thriller. 

Controlling general play for large portions of the first half, the Cats were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard and it ultimately came back to haunt the visitors, with Adelaide lifting around the contest and nailing the door shut in the final quarter. 

Thrust back into a more permanent midfield role, Patrick Dangerfield did everything he could to inspire his side with a blistering 13 disposals and five clearances in the first quarter alone, before going on to finish with 30 possessions, seven clearances and seven score involvements in a sensational display. 

Continuing his phenomenal 2026 campaign, Connor O'Sullivan (24 disposals) was terrific defensively picking off a career-high 13 intercept possessions, holding down the last line of defence and repelling numerous Adelaide attacks. 

Bailey Smith (34 disposals) and Max Holmes (30 disposals) found plenty of the football, while Sam De Koning (25 disposals) gave Geelong a different look in the ruck and finished with a game-high 10 clearances. 

Recognising the importance of a fast start in enemy territory, Patrick Dangerfield was immediately thrust into the midfield and set up the opening goal, launching a long ball to Jack Martin who took a nice grab and after missing a sighter moments earlier, made no mistake with his second attempt. 

The skipper continued his hot start by punching home Geelong's second major, but scoring proved difficult to come by in treacherous conditions at Adelaide Oval and a flurry of minor scores restricted the Cats' scoreboard impact, heading into quarter time trailing by two points. 

Dangerfield's first quarter was simply inspirational, finishing the term with 13 disposals and five clearances, to go with his goal and a direct goal assist. 

There were some intriguing moves from the coaches box to begin the match, which included Sam De Koning into the ruck at centre stoppages and Jeremy Cameron onto a wing. 

The engrossing battle continued into the second term as the sides traded blows and the lead changed hands four times, but the Cats were unable to keep their noses in front and headed into the main break six points adrift. 

Geelong led the disposal count (+11), the inside 50s (+5), the centre clearances (+6) and the contested possessions (+14), but they could not fully capitalise where it mattered most and were only able to kick four goals from 13 scoring shots. 

As they do every week, Max Holmes and Bailey Smith found plenty of the footy with 36 disposals between them in the opening half, Jack Henry led all players with five score involvements, while Connor O'Sullivan continued his strong year with a game-high seven intercept possessions. 

The Cats were under siege early in the second half with the ball firmly pinned in Adelaide's attacking half, the deficit extending out as far as 20 points after back-to-back goals from the home side, momentum squarely against Geelong and the energy starting to lift in the grandstands. 

But just as it looked like the game was slipping out of their grasp, the Cats responded through Shannon Neale and then a brilliant solo effort from Ollie Dempsey, trimming the margin and bringing the visitors back within striking distance.

Milestone man Jack Bowes produced another moment of magic, Geelong finishing the term with a flurry to pull back within just two points at three quarter time. 

Just as it looked like Geelong were mounting a charge, Adelaide lifted their intensity and kicked the first three goals of the final term, re-establishing a 19-point buffer at a critical stage of the game. 

But again, with the Cats seemingly down and out, they lifted and goals to Ollie Henry and Shaun Mannagh pulled Geelong back within a kick once more. 

Then it was over to Jack Bowes and in game 150, he slotted a pearler on the run and with five minutes on the clock, scores were level. 

Unfortunately the comeback would fall just short as Geelong could not find another score, a solitary point to Darcy Fogarty proving to be the difference. 

The Cats will have a slightly longer turnaround before returning to GMHBA Stadium for the White Out game, set to take on the Gold Coast Suns in another Friday night blockbuster. 

2026 AFL Season - Round 13

ADELAIDE   3.2   6.3    8.6    11.9   (75)  
GEELONG    2.6   4.9   7.10  10.14   (74) 

GOALS
Adelaide: Dawson 3, Walker, Keays 2, Taylor, Neal-Bullen, Berry, Ah Chee 1
Geelong: Martin, Bowes 2, Neale, O.Henry, J.Henry, Dempsey, Dangerfield, Mannagh 1

BEST
Adelaide: Dawson, Curtin, McAndrew, Peatling, Milera, Berry
Geelong: Dangerfield, O'Sullivan, Holmes, Smith, De Koning, Bruhn

CROWD: 42,340 @ the Adelaide Oval