AFLW Match Report: Cats Season Ends
Geelong's 2025 AFLW season concluded on Saturday night with a 14-point loss to Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium in the final round of the home-and-away season. After a closely contested first half, Melbourne pulled away in the third quarter, establishing a lead Geelong could not overcome despite a late surge.
Farewell to Iconic Players
The Geelong Football Club bid farewell to three legendary players who announced their retirements at the end of the 2025 season:
- Meg McDonald – long-serving captain (eight disposals)
- Kate Darby – six disposals, four tackles
- Shelley Scott
Outstanding Individual Performances
Geelong’s Georgie Prespakis and Mikayla Bowen capped off remarkable seasons with strong performances. Prespakis recorded 32 disposals and eight clearances, while Bowen added 30 disposals and two goals. Nina Morrison also stood out with 19 disposals and two goals, tirelessly working to inspire her team.
Match Highlights
The Cats generated many early scoring chances and dominated play across the field. Aishling Moloney opened the scoring with a goal that put Geelong ahead by a point at quarter time. Geelong’s defensive pressure was a highlight early on, laying 22 tackles—12 more than Melbourne’s 10—helping to limit the Demons to just one goal from 12 inside-50 entries.
The third quarter saw Melbourne's offense take control, creating an unassailable advantage despite Geelong narrowing the gap late in the game.
The clash between the Cats and Demons in round 12 of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season showcased intense competition and memorable individual efforts.
Author's Summary
Geelong's 2025 AFLW campaign ended in a hard-fought loss with notable player farewells and standout performances, highlighting the team's resilience despite falling short.