The VFL Cats have recorded back-to-back victories in another thrilling clash on Saturday, coming away with a two-point win over the Werribee Tigers at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.

In a match with several lead changes, Geelong's composure and relentless attacking pressure helped them find plenty of scoring opportunities, hitting the lead late to claim another important win.

The duo of George Stevens (30 disposals, 11 clearances, five score involvements) and Jhye Clark (26 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances) were instrumental in powering the ball through the midfield, creating a lot of successful attacks for the Cats.

Kye Annand put on a scintillating performance today booting two goals and collecting 15 disposals, six tackles and seven intercept possessions as he attacked contests across the ground, playing an essential role in Geelong’s victory.

The opening term quickly became a high pressure contest with both sides forcing plenty of stoppages in the pursuit of a goal, before Werribee kicked the first of the match to leave the Cats trailing early. 

Geelong responded brilliantly as Jamieson Ballantyne booted his first major to match the Tigers, followed by Kye Annand who snapped truly from the boundary for the Cats second, putting them in front by seven points heading into the first break.

George Stevens collected eight disposals and four clearances to play an instrumental role in the Cats midfield, as did Ted Clohesy with nine disposals while applying immense pressure.

A see-sawing second quarter saw the lead change four times with Jay Polkinghorne, Tobyn Murray and Oli Wiltshire all hitting the scoreboard for Geelong which helped the Cats maintain a nine point lead heading into half time.

Jed Bews was brilliant in defence rebounding well with eight kicks to move the ball away from Werribee’s forward half, while Jhye Clark showed plenty of aggression with his run-and-carry through the midfield, finishing the first half with 15 disposals.

Geelong returned from the main break looking to continue their momentum, Marcus Herbert answering an early Tigers goal with his first major from the paint of 50 after intercepting an exiting kick from Werribee.

The Tigers countered with two goals to bring them within one point as the intensity sky rocketed, before Herbert found Kye Annand in space for his second major, later followed by Ollie Henry who booted an important goal to give Geelong a 16 point buffer at the end of the third term.

Dan Capiron played a crucial role in defence for the Cats during the third quarter, picking off five intercept possessions in the match and displaying plenty of composure that spread throughout the team.

Geelong's Top Performers | Round 12

Ollie Henry kicked his second major of the match early in the final term in response to the Tigers opening goal, but Werribee were quick to gain ascendancy kicking three unanswered goals to briefly hit the lead. 

Geelong remained composed in a high-pressure contest, piecing together a chain of handballs that finished with a goal from Patrick Retschko to put the Cats back in front, before Ballantyne ultimately booted the sealer to help Geelong secure a thrilling two point victory. 

2025 VFL Season - Round 12

WERRIBEE TIGERS       1.2      4.3       7.4       12.7     (79) 
GEELONG CATS           2.3      5.6      8.14      11.15     (81)
 
GOALS
Werribee: Garoni 5, Riding, Maguire 2, Wright, Miller, Malual 1
Geelong: Henry, Annand, Ballantyne 2, Wiltshire, Polkinghorne, Murray, Herbert, Retschko 1

DISPOSALS
Werribee: Smith, Clark, Brew 21, Andrews 19, Lohmann, Conway 17
Geelong: Stevens 30, Clark 26, Herbert, Clohesy 20, Knevitt 19

@ Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee