The 2025 season for the Geelong Cats was a narrative of extreme contrasts, delivering the ultimate high of a premiership alongside gut-wrenching finals disappointment and significant off-field news that kept the club in the headlines year-round.
A Premiership Start and a Captain's Farewell
The year began on the highest note possible, with the Cats celebrating their stunning 2024 AFL Premiership victory over Brisbane. The triumph, secured in a thrilling contest, set a euphoric tone for the club and its legion of supporters. However, the celebrations were soon tinged with sadness as the football world prepared to say goodbye to a legend.
In a move that shocked the AFL community, champion forward and club icon Tom Hawkins announced his immediate retirement in late January. The decision, coming just months after his 16th season concluded with a premiership, left fans and teammates reeling. Hawkins cited a persistent foot injury as the primary reason, closing the book on a monumental 350-game career that cemented his status as one of Geelong's all-time greats.
On-Field Battles and Finals Agony
With the new season underway, the Cats faced the immense challenge of backing up their premiership success. The campaign was a fierce battle, with the team demonstrating resilience to secure a spot in the finals series. Spearheaded by the relentless Patrick Dangerfield and a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talent, Geelong fought their way through a competitive field.
Their finals journey, however, ended in devastating fashion. The Cats suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss in a preliminary final, a result that left players and fans shattered. Coming within a single kick of a Grand Final berth, the defeat was a cruel conclusion to a season of immense effort and ambition, marking a stark contrast to the glory of the previous September.
Headlines Beyond the Boundary Line
The narrative of 2025 was not confined to the oval. The club found itself at the centre of major off-field discussions, particularly concerning its home ground. GMHBA Stadium became a focal point of political debate, with its status and funding entangled in federal election promises. The venue's future and role in hosting major finals were hotly contested topics, adding a layer of complexity to the club's operations.
Further off-field intrigue surrounded the club's list management strategy. Speculation was rife throughout the year about Geelong's aggressive pursuit of top-tier talent from rival clubs. This "buy, not build" philosophy sparked widespread discussion among pundits and fans alike, debating the sustainability and impact of recruiting established stars to supplement their veteran core.
A Year of Profound Contrasts
Reflecting on the 2025 chapter, it stands as one of the most emotionally charged in recent memory for the Geelong Football Club. The year encapsulated the full spectrum of elite sport: the pinnacle of premiership celebration, the abrupt farewell of a beloved champion, the razor-thin agony of finals defeat, and the constant buzz of strategic and political manoeuvring.
From the highs of January to the despair of September and the boardroom debates in between, the Cats experienced it all. It was a testament to the club's enduring place at the forefront of the AFL conversation, where triumph and tribulation are never far apart. For players, staff, and the Geelong community, 2025 was a rollercoaster that affirmed the club's passion and resilience, setting the stage for the next chapter in its storied history.
