GEELONG'S unbeaten start to the season has ended at seven with an eight-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.
The 10.14 (74) to 9.12 (66) result also sees the Cats drop from top spot, handing the role of ladder leader to Sydney.
DEMONS v CATS Full match coverage and stats
In a bizarre stretch from late in the first quarter to early in the third both teams failed to kick a goal, managing to slot 14 behinds between them.
Eventually Kade Chandler squeezed through a set shot, followed by an amazing left foot snap from Tyson Stengle and normal play resumed.
Both clubs have already established their bona fides as premiership contenders and the match played out - wayward finishing aside - as a high-quality contest.
There was less than a goal in it at each change of ends, with Geelong holding a two-point lead at three-quarter time.
Melbourne kicked the first two goals of the final term and the momentum seemed to be running the Demons' way, but the Cats slotted the next two to edge back in front.
Then it was Kysaiah Pickett and Caleb Windsor for Melbourne, answered by the unlikely Zach Guthrie.
Just when it seemed Geelong would find the next to again snatch the lead it was an amazing matchwinner and Goal of the Year contender at the other end of the ground from Bayley Fritsch that sealed the win.
Max Holmes was Geelong's major ball winner with an equal game-high 31 disposals and 695 metres gained.
Zach Guthrie (24 disposals, 1 goal), Tom Atkins (22 disposals, 11 tackles), Gryan Miers (22 disposals, 8 score involvements) and Tom Stewart (21 disposals, 6 marks) were also busy on the night.
Geelong will return to GMHBA Stadium to host Port Adelaide on Friday night at 7.10pm.
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00:57HighlightsHighlights
Keighton Matofai-Forbes
With the Club's final selection, Geelong drafted Keighton Matofai-Forbes with pick 69. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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00:38HighlightsHighlights
Lennox Hofmann Draft Highlights
With Geelong’s third selection, the Cats selected Lennox Hofmann with pick 66. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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00:50HighlightsHighlights
Jacob Molier Draft Highlights
With its second selection of the Telstra AFL Draft, the Cats drafted South Australian forward/ruck Jacob Molier with pick 52.
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00:50HighlightsHighlights
Jay Polkinghorne Draft Highlights
With its first selection the Cats selected South Australian forward Jay Polkinghorne with pick 44. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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Draft Memories | Tom Stewart
Tom Stewart relives his draft memories after he was drafted by Geelong at number 40 in 2006. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone
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04:45
Draft Memories | Mitch Duncan
Mitch Duncan takes us back to his draft memories, after being drafted by Geelong at number 28 in the 2009 National Draft. Presented by Pepperstone
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01:06
All Geelong Adventures | 2025 AFL Fixture Release
Watch on as we touch on our 2025 AFL Fixture, and our 10 GMHBA Home Games!
AFL
Fixture
MELBOURNE 3.2 3.7 5.14 10.14 (74)
GEELONG 2.4 2.8 6.10 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 3, Pickett 2, Petty, Chandler, Langdon, Gawn, Windsor
Geelong: O.Henry 3, Stengle 2, Dempsey, Clark, Close, Z.Guthrie
BEST
Melbourne: Lever, Petracca, Gawn, Oliver, Fritsch, May
Geelong: Holmes, Z.Guthrie, Atkins, Stewart, Miers
INJURIES
Melbourne: TBC
Geelong: Bruhn (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Bailey Laurie, replaced Jack Billings in the fourth term
Geelong: Gary Rohan, replaced Tanner Bruhn in the third term
Crowd: 51,795 at the MCG
