On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Geelong kicked off its AFL Premiership campaign with a commanding victory over Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium. A significant feature of this match was the transition of Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield to the forward line, which proved fruitful as the Cats secured the match with ease.
At 34 years old, Dangerfield is not only one of Geelong's most decorated players—a Brownlow Medallist and eight-time All-Australian—but he is also recognized for his versatility. This season, the coaching staff have decided to shift him away from his traditional midfield role. "I believe I can be just as damaging inside 50 as I have been as a midfielder," Dangerfield commented on this role change, indicating his eagerness to adapt as he approaches the twilight of his career.
The Day began with high expectations as Geelong faced Fremantle, which aimed to establish itself as a serious finals contender. The match kicked off at 1:20 PM AEDT, and Geelong quickly demonstrated its dominance. By half-time, they boasted a lead of 12.4 (76) to Fremantle's 3.4 (22). This impressive performance was underpinned by Dangerfield’s revitalized position up front.
Throughout the first half, the Cats showcased their offensive capabilities, with key contributions from other seasoned players. Bailey Smith emerged as one of the top possession-winners with 17 touches, followed closely by Matthew Johnson (16) and Jaeger O'Meara (15). The strategic shift of Dangerfield provided the necessary support, turning the tide heavily in Geelong's favor.
Geelong continued to build upon its lead throughout the match, with late goals from Dangerfield himself, along with Jeremy Cameron and Tyson Stengle, solidifying the Cats’ control over the game. By the end, Geelong secured victory with a final score of 12.6 (78) to 5.6 (36).
The match was broadcasted across Australia, allowing fans to witness this evolution of Dangerfield's gameplay. The game started on various networks at different times depending on the region, with Fox Footy covering the match live, marking it as one of the key fixtures of the opening round of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
Fremantle had hoped to make strides early but consistently found themselves without answers to Geelong's offensive onslaught. Geelong capitalized on their home-ground advantage at GMHBA Stadium, which, according to statistics, has seen Fremantle struggle during their visits, with the Dockers previously winning only two of the last five encounters. This time, Geelong was thoroughly ready, executing plays with precision and seizing scoring opportunities whenever possible.
Notably, the Dockers were without key midfielder Hayden Young, who suffered a hamstring injury, and Sean Darcy, who was also unavailable. The absence of these players impacted Fremantle's ability to establish their game plan, allowing Geelong to press their advantage effectively. Luke Jackson stepped up to fill the ruck role, but the team overall did not manage to break through Geelong’s defense.
This match exemplified how veteran players like Dangerfield can change the dynamics of gameplay through strategic positioning. If this game serves as any indication, Geelong's revival of Dangerfield's career and the emphasis on maximizing his skill set may yield significant results this season. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how this transition impacts his performance throughout the remainder of the season.
The 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership is now just getting underway, and with matches lined up this weekend—such as West Coast taking on Gold Coast and Adelaide facing St Kilda—Geelong’s early victory helps establish momentum. The league's competition is bound to grow fierce as teams aim to position themselves for the finals later this year.
Dangerfield’s versatility was highlighted yet again as he consistently adapted to his new role, scoring important goals and commanding space on the field. The Geelong faithful will eagerly keep track of how well their club can perform under pressure as the season goes on, especially with such strong early performances.
Overall, Saturday's win laid down a clear marker for Geelong during the opening stages of its campaign, with Dangerfield at the center of it all, showcasing his relentless drive and competitive spirit.