Geelong’s VFL team has suffered a heartbreaking four point loss to Carlton on Sunday, falling to a late Blues goal with minimal time on the clock. 

In a tightly contested match with six lead changes, Geelong remained highly competitive throughout but were unable to put the game away in the final moments against an experienced Carlton side.

Ted Clohesy put on a scintillating performance in his first VFL match this season, playing a tough brand of footy while collecting 24 disposals, 13 tackles, and eight clearances to give the Cats plenty of momentum.

Jay Rantall was another highlight in today’s thriller, putting on a excellent display through the midfield with 23 disposals, five score involvements and one goal in a strong performance. 

A tough opening quarter saw both sides struggle to impact the scoreboard in windy conditions, until a goal from Carlton broke the game wide open with the teams trading blows. 

Geelong played with aggression, as Ted Clohesy laid six tackles to halt the attacking efforts from the Blues, allowing Marcus Herbert opportunities to clear the ball up field for some solid counter-attacks. 

Taj Wyburd kicked Geelong’s first major followed by Jay Polkinghorne and Jamieson Ballantyne, keeping an scores level at the end of the first term.

Carlton began the second term booting three unanswered goals, giving them enough momentum to put pressure on the Cats, while they attempted to regain control.

Jake Kolodjashnij’s three intercept marks helped Geelong regain momentum, giving Tobyn Murray and Jay Rantall chances up forward for a major each, remaining only five points adrift at the main break.

The second half was exhilarating with each side determined to gain ascendancy, as the Cats continued to match the Blues relentless barrage with an impressive goal from Jack Sarcevic in the pocket, and Joe Pike’s first goal of the season.

Geelong persevered throughout the back and forth contest, with Patrick Retschko and Tanner Lewis defending strongly, with scores level once again at the end of the third term.

Nathan Kreuger booted two goals to match the Blues early in the fourth quarter, swinging the momentum in favour of the Cats as they held onto a one point lead.

Dan Capiron performed a clutch smother in Carlton’s forward 50, as the Cats continued to overwhelm them across the ground, but the opposition found space for a goal to them back in front.

With only minutes left in the match, Keighton Matofai-Forbes kicked a significant major for Geelong in such a tightly contested match, until Carlton managed to seal the game with a final goal in the last seconds of the final term.

2025 VFL Season - Round 5

CARLTON      3.3      6.5       9.7      13.10      (88) 
GEELONG      3.3      5.6       9.7      12.12     (84)
 
GOALS 
Carlton: McMahon 3, O'Keefe, Moir 2, Ramshaw, Pittonet, O'Farrell, Nelson, Lemmey, Hogg 1
Geelong: Polkinghorne, Kreuger 2, Wyburd, Sarcevic, Rantall, Pike, Murray, Matofai-Forbes, Lewis, Ballantyne 1

BEST: Clohesy, Wyburd, Kelly, Kreuger, Lewis, Rantall

DISPOSALS
Carlton: Docherty 27, Camporeale, Binns 23, Boyd 22, Ramshaw 19
Geelong: Clohesy 25, Rantall 23, Herbert 21, Retschko 18, Wyburd 16

@ IKON Park, Melbourne