Geelong has capped off a historic night at GMHBA Stadium, kicking away in the final term to record an important 39 point victory over Melbourne. 

The match was a hard fought tussle for most of the night, the Cats keeping the Demons at arms length before kicking four unanswered goals in the last quarter to seal the deal. 

Zach Guthrie was sublime in defence collecting 30 disposals and taking 17 marks, well supported by a scintillating display from Cats captain, Patrick Dangerfield who booted three goals from his 20 disposals. 

Bailey Smith (28 disposals, eight tackles) and Gryan Miers (26 disposals, 10 marks) found plenty of the footy, while emerging talent Connor O'Sullivan performed brilliantly once again finishing with 23 disposals and 13 marks. 

After an early arm wrestle in the opening term, the Cats kicked clear late through goals to Rhys Stanley and Patrick Dangerfield, taking a healthy 15 point lead into the first break. 

Both teams held the ascendancy at times in a see-sawing second term, Geelong extending the margin out to 29 points early before Melbourne hit back, the Cats lead remaining at 15 points heading into half time. 

Geelong were leading most major statistics at the main break including disposals (+27), inside 50's (+4), marks (+38) and clearances (+1), but could not quite capitalise on the scoreboard. 

Jeremy Cameron was everywhere in the first half collecting 13 disposals and six score involvements, while Patrick Dangerfield (13 disposals, two goals) and Zach Guthrie (15 disposals, five intercepts) were heavily influential. 

The back and forth contest continued after half time, both teams kicking two goals in the third quarter as the Cats extended their lead ever so slightly, carrying a 16 point buffer into the final break. 

Shannon Neale and Shaun Mannagh landed two vital blows early in the last quarter with a pair of quick goals, before Tyson Stengle slammed the door shut with two majors of his own. 

Geelong were able to keep Melbourne goalless in the final term, as they closed out a 39 point victory at GMHBA Stadium. 

Attention now turns to another big clash in round five for Geelong, as they head to Adelaide Oval for a Thursday night clash with the Crows to kickstart the AFL's Gather Round. 

2025 AFL Season - Round Four

GEELONG          3.5      6.8     8.11     12.13    (85) 
MELBOURNE     1.2      4.5      6.7       6.10     (46)
 
GOALS 
Geelong: Dangerfield 3, Bowes, Stengle 2, Cameron, Stanley, De Koning, Neale, Mannagh 1
Melbourne: Petracca 2, Van Rooyen, Langford, Turner, Langdon 1

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Guthrie, Smith, Dempsey, Atkins
Melbourne: Oliver, Gawn, May, Petracca, Pickett 

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Guthrie 30, Smith 28, Miers, Dempsey 26, Stewart 24
Melbourne: Oliver 30, May 27, Pickett 22, Petracca 21, Bowey 20

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Mark Blicavs (Illness) replaced in the selected side by Rhys Stanley
Melbourne: Nil

INJURIES
Geelong: J.Henry (hamstring)
Melbourne: Nil
 
SUBSTITUTES 
Geelong: Mark O'Connor (replaced Jack Henry in the second quarter)
Melbourne: Charlie Spargo (replaced Harry Sharp in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 30,397 @ GMHBA Stadium