AFL Match Report | Clinical Cats clinch important four points

Geelong was tested by a plucky St Kilda team on Sunday afternoon but had all the answers, claiming a 31 point win at GMHBA Stadium

Geelong has staved off a strong challenge from St Kilda on Sunday afternoon to maintain their spot in the top four, leading from start to finish before closing out a 31 point victory at GMHBA Stadium.

The two teams traded blows for much of the afternoon with the Cats unable to shake the Saints until after half time, a four goal burst in the third quarter proving to be significant before Geelong shut the game down late to clinch victory.

In his 50th AFL game, Ollie Dempsey starred for the Cats collecting 25 disposals and 10 score involvements, dishing off three goal assists and kicking one of his own in a dominant display.

Jeremy Cameron extended his lead on top of the Coleman Medal leaderboard with another five goal haul, his seventh bag of four goals in more in the last nine weeks, while Max Holmes (32 disposals) and Shaun Mannagh (24 disposals, three goals) were also influential throughout the afternoon.

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Geelong's work rate and pressure around the ground was simply sensational in the opening term, the Cats able to kick five unanswered goals to build a healthy 22 point lead by quarter time.

A clear indicator of the Cats intensity around the football came in their forward arc, laying 13 tackles inside forward 50 in the first quarter alone, a stat they lead the AFL in with an average of 14.2 per game.

Jeremy Cameron ignited the crowd with a miraculous goal early in the second quarter, splitting the middle from tight against the boundary to bring back memories of his spectacular goal during St Kilda's last visit to GMHBA Stadium.

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The superstar forward went on to finish the first half with four goals but the Saints were able to stay within striking distance, Geelong's lead trimmed to 15 points at the main break.

Milestone man, Ollie Dempsey lead the way for the Cats collecting 17 disposals, six score involvements and three goal assists by half time, continually testing St Kilda with his ability to find space on the wing.

Max Holmes was instrumental through the middle generating 559 metres gained from his 18 disposals, while Gryan Miers and Shaun Mannagh wreaked havoc in the forward half with 11 score involvements between them.

After an extensive period where the two teams traded blows, the Cats made their big move in third quarter kicking four unanswered goals to pull away to a game high 37 point lead at the final break.

Mannagh continued to have a profound impact collecting nine disposals and booting a goal in the third term, while Bailey Smith was able to get on top around stoppages winning three clearances for the quarter.

Geelong did what they needed to in the final term, steadying nicely after St Kilda kicked the opening two goals of the quarter to kick away once more, eventually closing out a 31 point win on Sunday afternoon.

2025 AFL Season - Round 19

GEELONG 6.0 10.2 15.8 17.11 (113)

ST KILDA 2.2 7.5 9.7 12.10 (82)

GOALS

Geelong: Cameron 5, Mannagh 3, Stengle, Martin, Dangerfield 2, Dempsey, Close, Bowes 1

St Kilda: Wood, Wanganeen-Milera, Sharman, Owens, Higgins 2, Marshall, Henry 1

BEST

Geelong: Holmes, Cameron, Mannagh, Dempsey, Atkins

St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Sinclair, Steele, Marshall

DISPOSALS

Geelong: Holmes 32, Miers 26, Dempsey 25, Mannagh 24, Smith 23

St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera 36, Sinclair 33, Hill 23, Windhager 22

INJURIES

Geelong: Tom Stewart (knee)

St Kilda: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Geelong: Jack Bowes (replaced Tom Stewart in the third quarter)

St Kilda: Hunter Clark (replaced Darcy Wilson in the third quarter)

Crowd: 29,985 at GMHBA Stadium

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