The VFL Cats had their winning streak snapped on Sunday, as they fell to Southport by 44-points on a wet and wild afternoon at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats were gallant in defeat, sticking with the heavily fancied Sharks for much of the game before fading late in the final term to lose their first game in three weeks.

The opening ten minutes of the match was dominated by some classic Geelong weather, with torrential rain turning the game into a contested slog.

Match Centre: Geelong v Southport

The Cats were forced to withstand an early swarm from Southport, as the Sharks adapted to the wet conditions quickly.

Phoenix Foster provided a spark up forward for Geelong, taking an outstanding contested mark followed by an equally impressive set-shot finish to give the Cats their opening goal.

Brandon Parfitt was important early, collecting 10 disposals in the opening 20 minutes but Geelong found themselves trailing by 27-points at the first break.

As the sun started to break through in the second quarter, so did the Cats who lifted around the ground to get themselves back into the contest.

Osca Riccardi snapped a brilliant left foot goal to gain some momentum for Geelong, before Foster added his second to bring the deficit back to four goals.

Ben Lloyd snuck forward to slot one of his own late in the quarter, before Matty Lloyd struck after the half-time siren to trim the margin to 21-points at the main break.

In a positive second term for the Cats, Brandon Parfitt lead the way as he amassed 21-disposals and five clearances in a stellar opening half. Oscar Murdoch was classy off half back, collecting 13-disposals of his own while Ted Clohesy laid an incredible seven tackles across the opening two quarters.

The momentum shifted again in the third quarter, as Southport booted the first three goals of the term to pull away from the Cats.

A classy clearance from the Cats midfield landed with Ted Clohesy, who snapped a beauty from 30 metres out to steady the ship for Geelong.

James Willis then streamed through the middle and launched a goal from outside 50, before Osca Riccardi added a third in as many minutes for the Cats to cut the gap back to 23-points heading into the final quarter.

Unfortunately, Geelong was unable to continue that momentum in the final term, as Southport broke clear put the game away.

James Willis fought hard through the midfield all game recording 20-disposals, six clearances three classy goals in his best performance with the Cats. Matty Lloyd collected 20-disposals to go with his goal, while Oscar Murdoch competed well down back to gather 19-touches of his own.

Brandon Parfitt finished with 21-disposals, playing just the opening half of the game. Jhye Clark entered the game after half-time in a straight swap for Parfitt, with Clark picking up 12-disposals through the middle across the final two quarters.

The VFL Cats will now turn their attention to an important clash with Richmond next Saturday, as they look to re-establish themselves in the top-eight.

VFL Round 7

GEELONG             1.1       5.2         8.3             10.4        (64)
SOUTHPORT        5.4       8.5        11.8           16.12      (108)

GOALS: Willis 3, Riccardi, Foster 2, M.Lloyd, B.Lloyd, Clohesy 1

DISPOSALS: Parfitt, Willis 21, M.Lloyd 20, Murdoch, Chalcraft 19