Cameron Ling and Meg McDonald are back in 2025, kicking off a new season of 'To the Final Bell' ahead of Geelong's Opening Round clash against Brisbane. 

See the best moments below from the first episode of 2025. 

Previewing the Season Ahead

(Timestamp: 1:22 – 14:00) 

Cameron Ling: "We know it is a rematch of that Preliminary Final, there is a lot at stake.

"The Lions will be unfurling their premiership flag, but the boys have got a job to do to head up there and take them on.

"Lets take a little look at their preseason, in particular the two games that they have been a part of. We know guys like Paddy Dangerfield, we know how professional he is and that he might spend a little bit more time forward.

"But what about some of the possible unknowns you have seen in the practice match?"

Meg McDonald: "Mitch Knevitt, I think there has been so much promise around Mitch. He had a year we he played semi-regularly in the AFL side, then because of good availability last year he played a lot of VFL footy but finished really strongly.

"He is a fantastic size and that is what struck me about a lot of our players over the preseason, is clearly the work they have put in through the gym and on the track.

"Their physicality, particularly in the younger brigade looks to have taken another step."

36:29

Opening Round | Kicking Off The Year with Meg & Lingy

To The Final Bell returns in 2025! Hear from Meg and Lingy as they chat through our practice games, their best squad of 23 and everything thats happening before (hopefully) Thursday nights clash!

Predicting Geelong's Opening Round Team

(Timestamp: 17:25 – 28:38) 

Cameron Ling: "It feels strange picking a 23 for the Cats with no Tom Hawkins or Zach Tuohy."

Meg McDonald: "I have Connor O'Sullivan playing, who I think you didn't have in. I am backing him in.

"Anyone with a close eye on what had been happening in the practice games, it looked like he and Kolodjashnij were tag teaming a little bit. I think O'Sullivan played a portion of the VFL game and then the first half of the AFL match.

"He has a long career in the Hoops ahead." 

Cameron Ling: "I think he will play a lot of football this year, i just don't think he will play in the Opening Round. That is purely my guess, I think he will be in by round one or round two. 

"I am going to go out on a limb here and say that if the game was to go ahead on Thursday night, the game will be played in adverse conditions and with the younger, taller body I wouldn't play him.

"I would have him fresh and ready to go against Fremantle."

17:43

Time Cat-Sule with Andrew Bews Round 7, 1992

Former Geelong Captain Andrew Bews joined Cats media to chat through his part of the famous record-breaking total score game that Geelong took part in back in 1992, and added more to the story from his perspective.

Previewing the Opening Round Clash

(Timestamp: 29:30 – 36:00) 

Cameron Ling: "You know that the positive affirmation you get from wins early on in the season, for all the work you have done through the pre-season is crucial.

"You start to trust it, it is working and you see what the coaches are doing. You can see how those things will play out through the season with a win.

"A few losses though, as much as you still might be doing lots of things right, you can't help but think that the pre-season was all the wrong stuff. You start doubting the way you are trying to play, so wins are important. 

"What I will say though is somehow you need to remove that for a little bit, and be comfortable in an uncomfortable and messy game."