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Geelong vs Fremantle Dockers Tips - Cats to soak up the heat in front of home fans

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 13 Mar 2025

Adam Cusworth 13 Mar 2025

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Geelong vs Fremantle: AFL Round 1 at GMHBA Stadium.
Geelong strong at home, winning 19 of last 25 games.
Fremantle boasts two consecutive wins at GMHBA Stadium.

Expired

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Tanner Bruhn of the Cats in action during the 2023 AFL Round 20 match between the Geelong Cats and the Fremantle Dockers at GMHBA Stadium on July 29, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong vs Fremantle Dockers expert predictions and preview for Saturday's AFL match at the GMHBA Stadium. Who can take out the Round 1 clash between the Cats and the Dockers?

Geelong vs Fremantle Dockers Preview
Head to Head
Geelong Form Analysis
Geelong Team News
Geelong Team List
Fremantle Dockers Form Analysis
Fremantle Dockers Team News
Fremantle Dockers Team List

Geelong vs Fremantle Dockers Preview

The Geelong take on Fremantle Dockers in the Round 1 of the AFL season on Saturday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium in Sydney.

The Cats head in as favourites for their opening match and have won 19 of their past 25 on their home ground, including four of their last five in 2024.

The Dockers were five from 11 outside of Perth in 2024 but are one of few sides that have performed well at Geelong in recent times, coming home as winners in their last two appearances at the venue.

They were in finals contention late in 2024 before dropping their last four matches and finishing 9th, while Geelong finished 3rd and missed out on another Grand Final appearance when going down to Brisbane in the Preliminary Final.

Geelong were 11-point winners in Round 22 of 2024 at Optus Stadium.
The Cats have won 19 of their past 25 at GMHBA Stadium
Tom Stewart has averaged 25 disposals in his past four matches against the Dockers
Jeremy Cameron booted 64 goals in 2024

Head to Head

The two sides traded blows last year winning one apiece in their respective matches. Interestingly, Fremantle’s win came in Geelong, while Geelong’s win came at Fremantle’s home ground in Perth (Optus Stadium).

Fremantle have won their past two matches at GMHBA Stadium by seveb points last year and by three points in 2022.

Andrew Brayshaw, Luke Ryan, Caleb Serong all average 25+ disposals in thei past four appearances against the Cats. Tom Stewart has averaged 25 for Geelong.

Geelong Form Analysis

Geelong’s 2024 season saw them return to form after missing finals in 2023, finishing 3rd with a 15-8 win-loss record and reaching a preliminary final, only to lose to eventual premiers Brisbane. The Cats started 2024 in brilliant fashion, winning their first seven games. Over the course of the year, Geelong topped the competiton for goals scored per game, while they ranked 4th for intercept marks. Max Holmes, Tanner Bruhn and the rising star, Ollie Dempsey, stepped up alongside veterans Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Stewart. Bailey Smith comes across from the Western Bulldogs, while Tom Hawkins retires.

In the 2025 pre-season, Geelong has shown some mixed form. They were strong in match simulation against Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium before dropping their Community Series clash with Essendon. Max Holmes and Bailey Smith showed promise in the midfield and while Hawkins is gone, the Cats will be well served by some familiar names up forward in Jeremy Cameron, Tyseon Stengle and Ollie Henry.

Geelong Team News

Jack Martin is another off-season addition but may be eased in after an interrupted pre-season. The Cats face some challenges with their ruck setup, as Toby Conway remains injured, and Cam Guthrie will miss the start of the season, giving Mitch Knevitt an opportunity in the midfield. Despite these setbacks, Ollie Henry is expected to be fit for Round 1, and young defender Connor O’Sullivan has impressed in pre-season matches.

Geelong Team List

B: C.O’Sullivan, J.Henry, M.Blicavs

HB: Z.Guthrie, T.Stewart, L.Humphries

C: B.Smith, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey

HF: B.Close, G.Miers, T.Stengle

F: S.Neale, J.Cameron, P.Dangerfield - C

FOLL: S.De Koning, T.Atkins, J.Bowes

I/C: O.Mullin, M.O’Connor, O.Henry, J.Clark, M.Knevitt

EMG: T.Clohesy, M.Duncan, R.Stanley

Fremantle Dockers Form Analysis

Fremantle’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster, finishing 10th with a 12-10-1 record, narrowly missing finals after a late-season stumble. The Dockers started strongly, climbing to 3rd by Round 15 with an elite midfield led by Caleb Serong, Hayden Young (11th-rated player league-wide), and Andrew Brayshaw. Josh Treacy’s enjoyed a breakout season up forward. However, injuries to Alex Pearce and Treacy, were costly late in the season. Shai Bolton comes across from Richmond adding firepower up forward, but they will need better connection as they were 10th for inside-50s in 2024 despite a strong clearance game.

So far in the pre-season, Fremantle went down to the Indigenous All-Stars at Optus Stadium but were 19-point winners in the Community Series clash with Melbourne. Fremantle’s talent suggests they can challenge Geelong and they have a great recent record at the venue, but their cautious style and reliance on a young list may see them tested against the seasoned Cats.

Fremantle Dockers Team News

Hayden Young will miss Fremantle's season opener due to a re-injured hamstring, pushing Jaegar O'Meara into the starting midfield. With Sean Darcy also sidelined, Luke Jackson will take the No. 1 ruck role, supported by Josh Treacy and Liam Reidy. Shai Bolton and top-10 pick Neil Erasmus are in the mix, with Murphy Reid also a potential debutant after a strong pre-season showing.

Fremantle Dockers Team List

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce - C, J.Draper

HB: L.Ryan, B.Walker, J.Clark

C: N.O’Driscoll, J.O’Meara, J.Sharp

HF: M.Reid, M.Frederick, S.Switkowski

F: L.Jackson, J.Treacy, J.Amiss

FOLL: L.Reidy, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw

I/C: B.Banfield, M.Johnson, K.Worner, H.Chapman, C.Wagner

EMG: P.Voss, N.Erasmus, C.Simpson

Verdict

Geelong v Fremantle

Geelong will be hard to beat in front of their home fans with Tom Stewart and Jeremy Cameron shaping as key players

Geelong 1-39

Winning Margin 1-39

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