Geelong has been defeated by Carlton at the MCG, going down by 18 points on Sunday afternoon. 

Despite trailing by 28 points at three quarter time, Geelong fought hard to flip the momentum and pushed Carlton right to the final siren, but ultimately the deficit proved too big to overcome. 

The defensive efforts of Connor O'Sullivan (17 disposals, 12 intercept possessions), Sam De Koning (16 disposals, 11 intercepts) and Lawson Humphries (21 disposals, eight intercepts) helped to keep the Cats in the contest against an impressive Carlton outfit. 

Jeremy Cameron (four goals, nine score involvements) lead the way offensively for Geelong, while Bailey Smith (29 disposals) and Shaun Mannagh (25 disposals, seven clearances) both found plenty of the footy. 

The two teams traded blows in a see-sawing opening term, a Patrick Dangerfield goal after the siren pulling the Cats back within one point at quarter time. 

The clearance battle (16-7) was heavily in Carlton's favour during the first quarter but Geelong's intercept defenders helped to stem the momentum, particularly Connor O'Sulivan (six intercept possessions) and Sam De Koning (five intercepts). 

Geelong were on the back foot early in the second term after conceding four unanswered goals, finding two majors of their own late but the deficit increased to 19 points by half time. 

Amongst a flurry of inside 50 entries from Carlton, O'Sullivan and De Koning continued to limit the damage by picking off eight intercept possessions each, while Lawson Humphries (15 disposals, six intercepts) was also dominant across half back. 

Shaun Mannagh carried on from his strong display against Hawthorn laying seven tackles and winning three clearances in the first half, Tom Atkins laid an incredible 10 tackles by the main break and Bailey Smith accumulated a team high 16 disposals. 

Geelong swiftly set about closing the gap with two quick goals to start the third quarter, but Carlton regained the ascendancy and pulled away once again, the Cats finding themselves 28 points adrift heading into the last quarter. 

It took just 15 seconds for Jeremy Cameron to get involved in the final term, curling home his fourth goal to give the Cats some momentum early. 

Mark Blicavs followed suit minutes later, before Bailey Smith slotted Geelong's third in eight minutes to pull the Cats back within 10 points. 

Geelong continued to fight right until the final siren but ultimately the deficit was too big to overcome, eventually falling by 18 points in an enthralling battle with the Blues. 

The Cats will look to bounce back next Saturday night, as they head back to the MCG for a blockbuster clash with Collingwood in the final game of their triple-header at the venue. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 6

CARLTON      3.3      8.5      12.8     14.10    (94) 
GEELONG      3.2      5.4      8.4       12.4    (76)
 
GOALS 
Carlton: Curnow, McKay 3, Fogarty 2, Williams, O.Hollands, De Koning, Durdin, White, Hewett 1
Geelong: Cameron 4, Dempsey 2, Stengle, Dangerfield, O'Connor, Blicavs, Smith, Close 1

BEST
Carlton: McKay, Walsh, Curnow, De Koning, Weitering, Hewett, Haynes
Geelong: Smith, Cameron, Dempsey, Mannagh, Humphries

DISPOSALS
Carlton: Walsh 30, Hewett, Cripps 29, E.Hollands, Cerra 25
Geelong: Smith 29, Mannagh 25, Humphries, Guthrie 21, Holmes 20

INJURIES
Carlton: Zac Williams (calf)
Geelong: Nil

SUBSTITUTES 
Carlton: Cooper Lord (replaced Zac Williams in the first quarter)
Geelong: Ollie Henry (replaced Oli Wiltshire in the third quarter)

Crowd: 67,658 @ MCG