Geelong’s VFL team mounted a brilliant final quarter comeback against the Casey Demons on Friday afternoon, recording their third consecutive win to start the season. 

A hard fought match against an unforgiving opposition was not enough to stop the Cats momentum, kicking five goals to one in another fourth quarter masterclass at home.

Oli Wiltshire’s presence was felt in his return to the VFL this week, kicking two goals and collecting 23 disposals, while also assisting with nine score involvements to help set his team up.

Jhye Clark also impressed in his return, finishing with a game high 31 disposals, seven clearances and ten score involvements that assisted in sparking the comeback.

Right from the first bounce it was an entertaining match, Oli Wiltshire managed a running goal in the opening minute, followed by Jay Polkinghorne’s fantastic forward effort making his mark with two majors of his own.

The Cats found their composure with the help of Nathan Kreuger and Charlie McCartin, sharing nine marks and four intercepts between them, all while pushing back strong attacks from Casey.

Geelong headed into the second term under some early pressure, before Jhye Clark and Wiltshire started heating up through the midfield, ending the half with 14 disposals each.

An impressive string of handballs through the middle led Tobyn Murray to find his first goal of the game, shortly followed by Jay Rantall with a perfectly placed dribble around the goal square.

Paddy De Grandi was in all the right spots late in the quarter, helping keep the squad within striking distance of Casey’s 11 point lead at the end of the half.

Geelong brought the heat in the third term, with some tough play from Mitch Duncan (21 disposals, eight marks) and Marcus Herbert (26 disposals) who kept the ball down inside forward 50 for a majority of the quarter.

The Cats managed to close the gap on the Demons marginally, thanks to a highlight worthy goal from Hamish Lucas, as well as a goal for speedster Patrick Retschko.

The Cats came out blazing in the fourth quarter against a determined Demons squad, Retschko starting the quarter how he finished the last with a goal to lift the squad.

Geelong were locked in a back and forth contest, with George Stevens (27 disposals) collecting a match best 11 clearances to move the ball forward, and Kye Annand kicking two goals in his first match this season to seal a 16 point victory.

2025 VFL Season - Round Three

GEELONG CATS      3.3      7.7      11.11     16.13    (109) 
CASEY DEMONS     3.5      9.6      13.7      14.9     (93)
 
GOALS 
Geelong Cats: Polkinghorne 3, Wiltshire, Rantall, De Grandi, Retschko, Annand 2, Murray, Lucas, Lewis 1
Casey Demons: Fullarton 5, Johnson 2, Yze, Verrall, Hardie, Edwards, Cross, Billings, Windsor 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Clark 31, Stevens 27, Herbert 26, Wiltshire 23, Duncan 21, Rantall 20
Casey Demons: Howes 25, Hardie 24, Bonner 23, Sestan 22, Laurie, Fullarton 19

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong