The VFL Cats have suffered their first defeat of the 2025 season, falling to Box Hill Hawks by 46 points at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

Geelong were dominant early and finished the first quarter with a 21 point lead, but Hawthorn quickly gained the ascendancy and the Cats were unable to put a stop to their attack.

Charlie McCartin was excellent in the back half for Geelong collecting 25 disposals, 13 intercept possessions and 11 marks, continuing to prove himself as a defensive powerhouse for the Cats. 

Nathan Kreuger demonstrated his versatility as a forward booting three goals, while Jay Polkinghorne also impacted the scoreboard with three goals, matching his performance against the Casey Demons.

Box Hill were quick to hit the scoreboard kicking the first goal of the match, but Oli Wiltshire countered immediately with a major of his own which set the tone for a fast paced opening quarter.

Both sides were locked in an arm wrestle before the composed midfield pairing of Jhye Clark and Jay Rantall helped build up attacks along the wings, setting up three goals shared between Osca Riccardi and Nathan Kreuger.

Geelong held a 21 point lead heading into the second term, but Box Hill kicked three unanswered goals early in the quarter to arrest momentum, before Jay Polkinghorne kicked his first of the day in an attempt to stop the Hawks flow. 

Another goal to Box Hill closed the gap to just one point which then encouraged the Cats to hold possession for the majority of the quarter, lead by McCartin’s impressive six intercepts. 

The Hawks managed another string of three majors to finish the half, leaving Geelong trailing behind by 10 points at the main break. 

Box Hill once again hit the scoreboard early after half time kicking two goals, before Patrick Retschko booted an impressive goal for the Cats. 

Geelong’s backline worked hard in the second half, motivated by the efforts of their leaders Dan Capiron (nine marks, six intercept possessions) and Marcus Herbert (24 disposals, six intercept possessions) who helped cover the defensive 50.

Geelong found themselves 36 points adrift heading into the final quarter, but the determined Cats side continued to fight hard against a flurry of Box Hill attacks. 

The Cats found some success through the centre, Mitch Duncan facilitating the build up from half back, then through to George Stevens who worked it forward.

Polkinghorne and Wiltshire both kicked one major each in the last term before Box Hill sealed the game with two late goals, the Cats ultimately falling by 46 points at GMHBA Stadium. 

Geelong's VFL team will be back in action next Sunday, as they head to IKON Park to take on Carlton at 11.05am. 

2025 VFL Season - Round 4

GEELONG      5.3      7.4       9.5       11.7      (73) 
BOX HILL      2.0      9.2      15.5      18.11     (119)
 
GOALS 
Geelong: Polkinghorne, Kreuger 3, Wiltshire 2, Riccardi, Retschko, Hughes 1
Box Hill: Ginnivan, Butler 4, Ramsden 3, Hill, Anderson 2, Stanley, Reeves, Simondson 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Clark 26, McCartin 25, Herbert 24, Rantall, Duncan 23, Stevens, Retschko 21
Box Hill: Hustwaite 35, Macdonald 24, Mitchell, Ginnivan 23, Ward, Bianco 19

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong