In a game full of ebbs and flows, Geelong did enough to fend off a big challenge from the Kangaroos under the lid at Marvel Stadium, clinching a 15-point victory in a fascinating contest. 

It shapes as a pivotal win in the Cats' season, moving them inside the top six with one game remaining in the home and away season, which will come against Richmond at GMHBA Stadium next weekend. 

Geelong fell nearly 40 points behind early in the game and had to mount a serious comeback, with a number of key Cats standing tall under pressure and helping to arrest momentum. 

Take a look through some of the standout performers from Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium. 

Mark Blicavs

18 Disposals, 17 Hit-Outs, Five Clearances, Three Goals

Geelong were soundly beaten around stoppages in the opening term and they needed a response, which came in the form of the ever-reliable Mark Blicavs when he was thrown into the clinches to great effect. 

Winding back the clock, the star utility helped the Cats to arrest momentum through the middle of the ground after the big early discrepancy, finishing the game with a team-high five clearances and also winning 17 hit-outs. 

But it was his impact forward of the ball that proved to be pivotal, with Blicavs kicking three goals to cap off his sensational performance, just the second time he has done that in his remarkable career. 

He also added six score involvements and three intercept possessions for good measure, with Blicavs combining strongly alongside Mitch Edwards to help the Cats turn the tide in the middle of the ground. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Mark Blicavs of the Cats celebrates kicking a goal during the round 23 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium, on August 15, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Shaun Mannagh

20 Disposals, Three Goals, Eight Score Involvements

It just felt like there was a special game brewing for Shaun Mannagh and he delivered in spades on Saturday, kicking his sixth haul of three goals or more for the 2026 season. 

The crafty Cat found plenty of the ball, finishing the day with 20 disposals and eight inside 50s, while also recording eight score involvements in another remarkable outing. 

While he provided that trademark spark in attack, Mannagh also surprisingly attended a number of centre stoppages throughout the afternoon and finished with 556 metres gained, adding to what has been a terrific campaign so far. 

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Cometh the moment, cometh the Mannagh: Crafty Cat lights fuse

Shaun Mannagh kicks a sensational major on the run as the Cats fight back

Tanner Bruhn

28 Disposals, 588 Metres Gained, Five Score Involvements

When the Cats needed to flip the script after quarter time, they turned to some of their prime distributors to generate some ball movement, and perhaps none were better than Tanner Bruhn.

The star Cat finished behind only Bailey Smith with 28 disposals for the afternoon, generating a game-high 588 metres gained and going at over an 80% disposal efficiency, continuing to test North Melbourne's defence with every possession. 

He was also able to work hard and have an impact at both ends of the ground, registering five score involvements and three intercept possessions, while also recording three inside 50s in another brilliant match for Bruhn. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Tanner Bruhn of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 AFL Round 23 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

Lawson Humphries

20 Disposals, One Goal, 80% Disposal Efficiency

Speaking of run and carry off half back, Lawson Humphries stood tall in a number of big moments for the Cats and had a profound impact in the big comeback effort. 

The dashing defender collected 20 disposals on Saturday and generated 394 metres gained, while still going at a reliable 80% disposal efficiency to be one of the players that helped access the corridor repeatedly. 

His goal came at a crucial moment in the second quarter when Geelong were mounting a challenge, with Humphries continuing to build a case that he might just be the best big-game player at the club. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Lawson Humphries of the Cats warms up during the 2026 AFL Round 21 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 30, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Ollie Dempsey

24 Disposals, 10 Score Involvements, Nine Marks

What more can be said about this Cats superstar?

Dempsey was simply remarkable once again on Saturday afternoon, finishing the match with 24 disposals, 10 of those coming in the second quarter alone as Geelong roared back into the contest. 

What was even more crucial was his ability to drift forward once again, taking a big mark and kicking a clutch goal at a massive stage of the match.  

Dempsey generated 557 metres gained and a game-high 10 score involvements, adding another incredible performance to his brilliant 2026 season.Â