Geelong has moved one step closer to securing a spot in the top four, closing out a 44 point win over Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. 

Despite a solid opening half, the Cats did not have it all their own way as they were forced to stave off a strong challenge from the Bombers after the main break, steadying late to claim an important four points with two games remaining in the home and away season. 

Star on-baller, Bailey Smith continued his sublime first season at Geelong with another stellar performance, amassing 33 disposals, nine clearances and three goal assists. 

Shaun Mannagh (20 disposals) kicked three goals at crucial stages of the match, Jack Bowes (24 disposals, three goal assists) was busy all night, while Zach Guthrie (16 disposals, 10 marks) put together a pivotal performance across half back. 

In his 150th AFL game, Gryan Miers was at his creative best in the forward half accumulating 22 disposals and a game-high 11 score involvements. 

Cats fans could not get the song ‘Tequila’ out of their heads in the opening term as Shannon Neale started the game in scintillating form, booting the first three goals of the match in quick succession. 

Tom Stewart and Connor O’Sullivan were instrumental across half back early, stifling numerous Essendon attacks as Geelong built a 21 point lead at quarter time. 

Jeremy Cameron swung into full gear in the second quarter as the superstar forward started to make his presence felt, kicking two goals as the Cats extended the margin to 37 points at the main break. 

With Geelong generating plenty of space in transition, Brad Close was able to capitalise and get dangerous collecting eight disposals and a goal in the second term alone. 

Bailey Smith and Max Holmes continued to find plenty of the footy accumulating 34 disposals between them in the first half, while Mark Blicavs (13 disposals) and Zach Guthrie (11 disposals) helped the Cats to control proceedings. 

If anyone thought that Geelong would have it all their own way in the second half, they were badly mistaken as the Bombers charged back into the contest with four unanswered goals to significantly trim the margin. 

Milestone man, Gryan Miers helped to stem the bleeding late in the third term before Shaun Mannagh converted brilliantly on the run, the Cats re-establishing a 32-point buffer at the final break. 

Essendon were able to close the gap once again early in the final term, pulling within 20 points before Mannagh landed another vital blow with his third goal of the night, helping to steady the ship. 

Geelong then regained the ascendancy and pulled away late, Cameron adding to his tally with two more majors as the Cats closed out a 44 point victory. 

2025 AFL Season – Round 22

GEELONG CATS    4.5    7.10    11.13   15.19   (109)  
ESSENDON              1.2     2.3      7.5      10.5    (65)  
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Neale, Mannagh, Cameron 3, Blicavs 2, Miers, Dempsey, Close 1
Essendon: McMahon 4, Wright, Merrett, McGrath, Guelfi, Gresham, Duursma 1

BEST
Geelong: Smith, Holmes, Miers, Mannagh, Cameron, O’Sullivan
Essendon: Roberts, Merrett, McGrath, McMahon, Durham

DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Smith 31, Holmes 29, Bowes 24, Miers, Blicavs 22
Essendon: Roberts 33, Merrett 27, Redman 24, Shiel, McGrath 23

INJURIES
Geelong: J.Henry (hamstring tightness)
Essendon: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Geelong Cats: Jack Martin (management) replaced by Jhye Clark
Essendon: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong Cats: Jhye Clark (replaced Jack Henry at half time)
Essendon: Jye Menzie (replaced Luamon Lual in the third quarter)

Crowd: 30,289 at GMHBA Stadium