Geelong has secured back-to-back wins in a hard fought clash against the Northern Bullants on Saturday afternoon, triumphing by 30 points in their first home game of the VFL season. 

Intense pressure from both sides meant that clean passages of play were hard to come by, until a sudden blitz in the fourth quarter saw the Cats pile on five unanswered goals to runaway with the victory. 

George Stevens followed up his brilliant performance in round one with another stellar display on Saturday, finishing with 34 disposals and nine clearances while also recording six score involvements. 

Geelong's experience also shone through under pressure, with Shaun Mannagh (22 disposals, three goals) and Rhys Stanley (16 disposals, 38 hit-outs, two goals) both having a big influence on the result. 

Geelong managed to gain the ascendancy after a tightly contested opening quarter, with immense forward pressure from Shaun Mannagh and Patrick Hughes who each laid three tackles as the Cats took a five point lead into the first break. 

Jay Rantall provided the top highlight of the opening term, booting the Cats first goal of the game which was also his first goal in the Hoops. 

Geelong were able to hold onto a ten point lead at the end of the first half, supported by George Stevens who accumulated 21 disposals and four clearances that opened up some much needed space for the team.

Nathan Kreuger submitted another mark of the year contender, setting up an easy goal for Rhys Stanley, while Darcy Edmends impressed through the middle of the field.

Mannagh came out hot with a running goal to give the Cats a boost at the start of the second half, later matched by Stanley with his second goal, and Paddy De Grandi with his first of the game.

Osca Riccardi and Charlie McCartin both gave solid defensive efforts against an energised Bullants squad, but Geelong found themselves trailing by one point by the end of the third term.

The Cats were able to turn the tide in the final quarter and kicked five goals, thanks to a big effort from Shaun Mannagh and milestone man Dan Capiron (11 marks, seven interceptions), who fortified the backline.

Jay Polkinghorne put the final cherry on top with the last goal of the game, as the Cats secured an important 30 point win at GMHBA Stadium. 

With two wins under their belt to open the season, Geelong's attention will now turn to a blockbuster Friday afternoon clash at home against the Casey Demons. 

The match will commence at 3.50pm AEDT and will be the Cats first curtain raiser of the season, prior to Geelong and Melbourne's AFL match which will kickoff at 7.40pm AEDT. 

2025 VFL Season - Round Two

GEELONG CATS                 3.5      6.7      8.9      13.12    (90) 
NORTHERN BULLANTS     3.0      5.3      9.4       9.6      (60)
 
GOALS 
Geelong Cats: Mannagh 3, Stanley, Sarcevic 2, Riccardi, Rantall, Herbert, De Grandi, Retschko, Polkinghorne 1
Northern Bullants: Green 2, Velissaris, Naim, Jorgensen, Hilton, Hamilton, Goodman, Fairlie 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Stevens 34, Herbert 29, Edmends 23, Mannagh, Hughes 22
Northern Bullants: Velissaris 33, Hamilton 25, Mackie 22, Schreiber 18

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong