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Geelong put up a good fight against the reigning Premiers, before the Roos bounced away late

By Danielle Croci – AFL Media, and Geelong Cats Media

Mikayla Bowen of the Cats in action during the AFLW Round one match between Geelong Cats and North Melbourne Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Geelong Cats fought hard against North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos in wet conditions on Saturday, but the reigning premiers flexed their muscles late to pull away for a 30-point win.

The Cats’ struggle to capitalise on a dominant third quarter proved costly, as North pulled away in the last to run out 8.3 (51) to 3.3 (21) winners.

The game began with free-flowing footy early featuring plenty of pressure and desperate smothers, in particular from Geelong. But play slowed right down in the second and third, with the Cats and Kangaroos trading respective scoreless quarters.

Winger Mikayla Bowen (27 disposals, 433 metres gained) and Georgie Prespakis (22 disposals, seven clearances) showed a lot to like for the home fans.

There was no one more apt to open the scoring than new North Melbourne captain, 2024 All-Australian captain and Grand Final best on ground winner Jasmine Garner (25 disposals).

After the Cats’ patient build-up of kick-mark football, mayhem in the forward line led to Julia Crockett-Grills kicking their first goal. Jackie Parry then took a strong contested mark on the 50m line, before receiving a 50m penalty for encroachment of the protected area to make the conversion a certainty for their second.

The Kangaroos played with the ball a little too much inside their forward 50 in the first quarter for little result, passing around a few too many times before the Cats’ defence mopped up.

North Melbourne lifted in the second quarter, with Geelong unable to get the ball out of their defensive half. However, the Roos were unable to capitalise on this dominance, leading inside 50s 10 to five in the second quarter with only a goal and two behinds to show for it.

The stricter interpretation of the holding the ball rule, as recently flagged by the AFL to support more free-flowing football, was on clear display. Garner reaped the rewards multiple times, finishing up with an equal game-high nine tackles alongside Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne.

Veteran Cat Kate Darby sat out the majority of the match with her calf strapped after an early injury, while debutant teammate ruck Piper Dunlop underwent an HIA in the second after coming off with a bloodied nose.

Despite the ball living in Geelong’s forward half for the third quarter, they simply could not take advantage. Aishling Moloney had multiple opportunities but hit the behind post and sent the ball twice out of bounds on the full either side of the posts.

Three quick goals by North opened the last quarter as the rain began to fall, ultimately shutting the door on a Geelong resurgence, with Crocket-Grills slotting a consolation second goal late.

Wet and wild
As the rain fell across the early afternoon in South Geelong and the sky threatened, you couldn’t be blamed for remembering the last meeting between these two sides in round two last year at Arden St Oval. A wet and windy affair ended in a draw, with Geelong ultimately becoming the only team to take premiership points from North Melbourne. The rain dried up by the time the game began at 3.35pm AEST, but began to flow freely again at the beginning of the last quarter. 

Up next
The tough task for Geelong only continues, facing powerhouse side Adelaide at Unley Oval on Sunday, August 24. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will unfurl the premiership flag at their first home game at Arden St Oval against Port Adelaide on the same day. 

2025 AFLW Season – Round 1

GEELONG CATS    2.0     2.0     2.2    3.3    (21)  
KANGAROOS        2.0     3.2     3.2    8.8    (51)  
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Julia Crockett-Grills 2, Jackie Parry
Kangaroos: Kate Shierlaw 2, Bogue 2, O’Loughlin, King, Garner, Eddey

BEST 
Geelong: Prespakis, McDonald, Morrison, Parry, Bowen
North Melbourne: Riddell, Garner, Shierlaw, Smith, Bogue, Rennie
 
INJURIES 
Geelong: Darby (calf), Parry (knee soreness) 
North Melbourne: Nil
  
Reports: Nil
 
Crowd: 2,764 @ GMHBA StadiumÂ