The big picture

Geelong Cats are 16–9 in AFL 2026, averaging 102.7 points for and 84.8 against.

North Melbourne are 9–14 in AFL 2026, averaging 84 points for and 94.6 against.

Form

Geelong Cats have won four of their last five and most recently lost to Fremantle 106–120.

North Melbourne have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Sydney Swans 70–123.

Head to head

These sides have met 175 times on our records since 1925: Geelong Cats 111, North Melbourne 63, 1 drawn.

Last time out (2026, Round 23), Geelong Cats won 125–110 at Marvel Stadium.

Geelong Cats have won the last 16 against North Melbourne.

Biggest margin between these two: Geelong Cats by 114 points in 1981 (170–56).

Players to watch

For Geelong Cats, watch Bailey Smith (32.3 disposals a game, 11 goals in 2026) and Max Holmes (28 disposals a game, 5 goals in 2026).

For North Melbourne, watch Harry Sheezel (30.4 disposals a game, 12 goals in 2026) and Caleb Daniel (25.3 disposals a game in 2026).

Milestone watch

Caleb Daniel is 1 goals short of 50 for their career.

At GMHBA Stadium

Geelong Cats have won 14 of their last 16 at GMHBA Stadium.

The deeper numbers

North Melbourne's greatest comeback: 44 points down at three-quarter time against Essendon in 1947, and they won. Only 3 sides in 130 years of VFL/AFL have won from 44+ down at the last change.

Geelong Cats' greatest comeback: 38 points down at three-quarter time against Melbourne in 1936, and they won. Only 15 sides in 130 years of VFL/AFL have won from 38+ down at the last change.

North Melbourne haven't beaten Geelong Cats at GMHBA Stadium since 2015: 7 meetings there since then.

Jeremy Cameron needs 2 goals to pass Kevin Bartlett (778) for 15th on the VFL/AFL all-time goalkicking list.

What the numbers say

On form and history, Geelong Cats go in as clear favourites.