Geelong will be looking to bounce back this week, when they host Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. 

It is an important clash for the Cats following two consecutive losses, facing a Demons outfit that is yet to register their first win of the 2025 season. 

The two oldest clubs in the V/AFL competition have a long and storied rivalry, with another chapter set to be added in round four. 

Check out the top three things to watch as Geelong and Melbourne do battle on Friday. 

Ladder  

Geelong: 9th (1-2) 
 
Melbourne: 17th (0-3)

Points For 

Geelong - 299

Melbourne - 202

Points Against 

Geelong - 237

Melbourne - 322

Controlling the Clearance Battle

An area that both teams have struggled in through the first three weeks has been clearances, with neither team winning the clearance battle in a match this season. 

Geelong have been competitive in the area, only losing the category by two clearances against Fremantle and Brisbane with a -11 total differential across the first three weeks. 

Melbourne have had a more significant struggle so far in 2025, losing the clearance battle by at least 12 in all three matches and currently holding a -48 total differential. 

This will be one area to watch on Friday night, gaining the ascendancy around the midfield will go a long way to winning the match. 

Geelong & Melbourne - Clearance Numbers

Taking Away Melbourne's Intercept Prowess

One area that Melbourne has excelled in this year is their defensive intercepts, with a number of players able to repel attacking forays. 

Across the first three games in 2025, the Demons have three players that rank inside the AFL's top 15 for intercept possessions, lead by Jake Bowey who sits in fifth. 

They also have three players inside the top 20 for intercept marks, with Jake Lever and Harrison Petty both sitting in a tie for 12th across the competition. 

Geelong have been solid offensively so far this year averaging 100 points per game, but they will need to find different avenues to goal on Friday night to avoid Melbourne's interceptors. 

Melbourne's Top Interceptors

Stopping Clayton Oliver 

To further highlight the importance of the midfield battle, Geelong will also be looking to find a way to nullify Clayton Oliver on Friday night. 

The Demons star on-baller has had a terrific start to 2025, ranking eighth in the AFL for disposals, eighth for clearances and fifth for contested possessions. 

Oliver also holds a strong record against Geelong averaging 32 disposals and seven clearances per game, while averaging a whopping 39 disposals and nine clearances per game in four appearances at GMHBA Stadium.