Geelong are set to welcome Melbourne back to GMHBA Stadium on Friday night, for an exciting Round Four clash as the club celebrates 100 years of partnership with Ford. 

The last time the Demons travelled down the highway came in round 15 in the 2023 season, which was also Chris Scott's 300th game as coach of the Cats. 

The contest was a hard fought slog for much of the night, with neither team able to breakaway and only 11 goals kicked up until three quarter time. 

But that is when the Cats made their big move, piling on six unanswered goals in the final term to close out a 15-point victory. 

00:54

Brad Close Highlights | Round 15

Brad Close had some clutch moments that lead to key goals in our win over the Demons in Retro Round.

Geelong started well in the opening term kicking three of the first four goals, but things became difficult for the Cats when Jeremy Cameron was subbed out of the game halfway through the quarter. 

The scoring dried up significantly after the first break, only three majors were kicked between the two sides in the second quarter and Geelong found themselves trailing by one point at half time. 

Melbourne had recorded 17 inside 50 entries in the second term, Geelong's defensive unit standing tall to restrict them to just two goals and keeping the deficit minimal. 

Emerging after the main break, play continued in a similar fashion and only three more goals were added between the two teams in the third quarter. 

02:48

Gamebreaker | Cats Final Quarter Effort

With the game still in the balance, the Cats stood up when it mattered, breaking the game open with a run of three goals in three minutes of play. Atkins, Rohan, Bowes, Close and Duncan all had some massive contests and moments that lifted Geelong...

The Cats found themselves seven points adrift heading into the final term, but took no time recapturing the lead as they kicked five goals in a 10 minute burst right after three quarter time. 

Kicking away to a game-high 28 point lead, two late goals from Melbourne were not enough as Geelong held on to secure a 15-point win. 

Brad Close collected a career high 24 disposals, Tom Stewart (22 disposals, eight intercepts) was awarded the three Brownlow votes, while Gary Rohan dominated up forward booting a game-high three goals. 

2023 AFL Season - Round 15

GEELONG          3.4     4.7     5.10    11.12    (78)
MELBOURNE     2.1     4.8     6.11     8.15     (63)

GOALS
Geelong: Rohan 3, Bruhn 2, Stengle, O.Henry, Hawkins, Z.Guthrie, Duncan, Blicavs 1
Melbourne: Smith, Pickett, Fritsch 2, van Rooyen, Petracca 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Close 24, Stewart, Duncan 22, Blicavs, Atkins 19
Melbourne: Petracca 33, Viney, Rivers, Brayshaw 25, Hunter 23

Crowd: 19,617 at GMHBA Stadium