AFL 2025 round four LIVE updates: Cats, Demons set for blockbuster; security on alert after MCG incident (2025)

Patrick Dangerfield has converted his first clear chance at goal, marking on the right sideline and going back and threading a perfect kick through the goals.

He’s started as a key forward and may well play much of the game there.

Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy that the Cats should have a two-goal lead or better but haven’t taken their chances.

He’s right.

Cats 17, Dees 8 with 50 seconds to go in Q1.

The Cats have lifted their workrate at the contest, and the ball has lived in their forward half of the ground for the best part of the last 10 minutes.

If you take the contested side of the game away from the Demons, what else do they have?

We’re about to find out...

The skills shown by both defences and midfielders have been exceptional in a high-tempo first term.

But the goal kicking has not come to the party for either side so far.

They have one goal each from a combined 15 inside 50s.

Cats 11, Dees 8 with five mins to go in Q1.

If you’re a Melbourne fan, you’d be relatively happy with the start your team has made.

They’re winning the contest and clearance, which have been trademarks of their game, and have the only goal of the game so far.

It’s early days, though, and it’ll be a long grind for them if they are to win this.

Just as I was about to press “send”, Jeremy Cameron marks in the goal square after Brad Close’s smother turned over the ball inside the Cats’ forward 50.

The Cats forced a turnover in their forward half as Brad Close smothered Steven May’s kick from the back pocket.

Close reacted first, grabbing the footy and chipping a kick to Jeremy Cameron in the goal square – he won a free kick after being denied a chance to mark it.

Cameron converted that kick for goal.

Cats 8, Dees 6 with 13 mins to go in Q1.

Shannon Neale looked to have the Cats’ first goal but his shot from outside 50 was touched on the line.

This is a heavily contested game, as you would expect at this stadium.

The Cats are looking more assertive in attack after a timid start.

Dees 6, Cats 1 with 15 mins to go in Q1.

Christian Petracca has started as a deep forward and he’s snapped the opening goal of the game.

The Dees look a different side with Kozzie Pickett around the footy causing havoc and Jack Viney repeatedly winning the ball on the ground or stopping Geelong possessions.

This is how the Dees want to play, but can they keep it up?

Dees 6, Cats 0 with 18 mins to go in Q1.

Demons ruckman Max Gawn explained his game-day routine during a radio appearance on Triple M’s Mick in the Morning show today.

“I’ve had brekky, go home for a walk with the family, and George – my oldest – is playing tennis… I mean, ‘Playing tennis’, have you seen a three-year-old play tennis?” Gawn said with a laugh.

“Then I’ll have a nap today, and it basically takes me to 2.30-3pm, and I’ll watch the VFL curtain-raiser before I start making my way down to Geelong.”

Gawn also explained the different ways the Demons have travelled to Geelong over the years.

“We’ve done everything you can for a Geelong game in my 16 years [in the AFL system],” Gawn said.

“We’ve stayed down in Torquay at the RACV [resort] and lost by 60… we didn’t do that again. We drove down together on the bus and lost by 186… that wasn’t a great game.

“We’ve also sporadically driven up ourselves; some people stayed last night; Ed Langdon has a holiday house in Lorne, and Jake Lever has a family trip, so some people have gone up yesterday and will stay for the weekend.”