Geelong threw their best punch at the minor premiers in a Friday night thriller but it ultimately was not enough, with the Cats falling to Fremantle by 14 points at Optus Stadium, bringing their 2026 season to a close. 

After conceding six of the opening seven goals, the Cats continued to fight with everything they had and for a brief moment hit the front in the third quarter, but the Dockers had the answers and a five-minute burst before the final break proved to be the pivotal juncture. 

A number of Geelong players can hold their heads high, including star defender Zach Guthrie who continually put himself in good positions and took a number of intercept marks, helping to stem Fremantle's momentum at times and then sending the Cats into attack the other way. 

Ollie Henry was absolutely phenomenal all night and kicked a career-high five goals, taking his season tally to 48 goals to cap off a brilliant year for the young forward. 

With all the emotions and anticipation in the build-up to a big Final, Geelong was left shellshocked in the opening stages of the game as Fremantle charged out of the blocks, kicking three goals in the blink of an eye before the Cats had even entered their forward 50. 

In an eerily similar fashion to last week at the MCG, it was the skipper who helped to steady the ship as Patrick Dangerfield unleashed a sensational long-range finish, opening the Cats' account to alleviate some of the early pressure. 

It proved to be a relatively disastrous opening term for Geelong otherwise, Oli Wiltshire providing some much needed scoreboard relief late in the first term, but Fremantle dictated the game on their terms and left the Cats staring at a 25-point deficit heading into quarter time. 

The game opened up dramatically at both ends in the second term and despite some clear issues around centre stoppages, Geelong certainly showed that they were up for the fight as they kicked four goals in 14 minutes to at least stay within striking distance. 

But for every moment of brilliance the Cats could conjure in front of goal, Fremantle had an answer as they kept the visitors at bay, Geelong still 21 points adrift at half time but by no means out of the contest. 

It almost felt like a reasonable result at the main break for the visitors, as they trailed the disposal count (-36), the inside 50s (-16) and the clearance battle (-12), but they started to capitalise on limited opportunities and stemmed the momentum. 

Dangerfield was Geelong's most impactful player in the opening half once again, kicking a goal and recording two goal assists from his six disposals, while Lawson Humphries was strong in defence with 11 disposals and five intercept possessions. 

If there was ever any question about Geelong's intent and desire to triumph in Perth, the answer came early in the second half as the Cats recorded the opening seven scoring shots of the third quarter, but unfortunately only one split the big sticks. 

But the Cats were relentless, continuing to heap the pressure on the Dockers and eventually it paid dividends, with Ollie Henry kicking his third goal of the night and all of a sudden, Geelong were back within just four points midway through the term. 

Henry hit the scoreboard again, Dangerfield followed suit shortly after and in the shadows of three quarter time, Geelong hit the front for the first time in the contest. 

Just when it looked like the Cats had started to take control, Luke Jackson produced an inspired burst for the home side and helped them pile on four unanswered goals in a short period of time, again leaving Geelong with a mountain to climb and a 16-point deficit at the final break. 

A see-sawing final term ensued and the never-say-die attitude of the Cats continued to be on full display, but they could not draw close enough to trouble Fremantle, despite a heroic effort from Ollie Henry who kicked a career-high fifth goal. 

But it was not enough as the Dockers sealed the deal, Geelong's season coming to an end in a 14-point defeat at Optus Stadium. 

2026 AFL Season - Semi-Final

FREMANTLE           6.2   10.5   15.6   18.12  (120)  
GEELONG CATS     2.1    7.2    12.8   16.10  (106) 

GOALS
Fremantle: Voss 4, Jackson, Frederick, Dudley, Bolton, Amiss 2, Young, Treacy, Serong, Cox 1
Geelong: O.Henry 5, Neale 3, Mannagh, Dangerfield, Cameron 2, Wiltshire, Stewart 1

BEST
Fremantle: Jackson, Bolton, Young, Treacy, Reid, Brayshaw, Serong
Geelong: O.Henry, Smith, Humphries, Neale, Dangerfield, Mannagh

Crowd: 59,725 at the Optus Stadium