MELBOURNE has suffered its first loss at the MCG for the 2026 season, defeated by Geelong 18.9 (117) to 14.13 (97) on Friday night.

The final margin doesn't reflect Melbourne's effort, with Harrison Petty booting two of his four goals in the fourth term, but Geelong was able to kick into a higher gear in the last 10 minutes, with Shannon Neale (five goals for the game) and late inclusion Ollie Henry (four) sealing the deal.

Melbourne's ball movement has been patchy at times this year, but the Demons were incredibly pinpoint in the first quarter, with their only failings coming in front of goal.

Pace was the order of the day, with Kozzy Pickett and Harry Sharp proving too quick in the first stanza for Geelong's Irish speedsters, Oisin Mullin and Mark O'Connor, while Bayley Fritsch's work across half-forward continually set up teammates closer to goal.

Such was Pickett's early dominance, he received (and acknowledged) a rapturous round of applause when running to the bench 15 minutes into the match.

At the other end of the field, second-gamer Lukas Cooke had his work cut out for him, manning man-mountain Neale, who booted three in a quarter and a bit.

Veteran Tom McDonald – who'd been warming the bench for minutes reminiscent of the old days of the interchange – was then moved onto the Cat.

Latrelle Pickett had a five-bounce run down the vacant MCG win, but his shot drifted wide, and it was one of a number of blown opportunities for the Dees who should have converted more of their opportunities in the first half.

Typically, just as the eye started wandering through Geelong's fixture, idly wondering if the Cats were any chance of missing finals should they drop this match, they tightened right up around the contest and produced a seven-goal second quarter, taking a 20-point lead into half-time.

After Melbourne's first half of inaccuracy, it was Geelong's turn to blow chance after chance, kicking 2.5 for the third term while a dangerous Fritsch took full advantage, kicking his second and third goals.

Young ruck Mitch Edwards can hold his head up after his battle against Max Gawn, who dominated the stoppages, but keeping up with the Melbourne skipper around the ground.

Latrelle Pickett's night ended in the third term after an accidental elbow to the back of the head in a marking contest, and was ruled out with concussion, while Jacob van Rooyen received treatment on a busted nose.

It was Geelong three goals to the positive at the final change before a Petty major with seven minutes to go had the margin at 15 and momentum seemingly leaning Melbourne's way.

However, the pendulum swung the other way sharply as the Cats banged on three quick goals to seal the result.

MELBOURNE     4.4      6.8       9.9     14.13     (97)
GEELONG           3.0     10.4    12.9     18.9     (117)

GOALS
Melbourne: Petty 4, Fritsch 3, Langdon 3, K.Pickett, Tholstrup, Laurie, Langford, 
Geelong: Neale 5, O.Henry 4, Wiltshire 3, Polkinghorne 2, Atkins, Close, Mannagh, O'Connor

BEST
Melbourne: Steele, Sparrow, Tholstrup, Petty, Fritsch, K.Pickett
Geelong: Atkins, Smith, O'Sullivan, Neale, Stewart, Humphries

INJURIES
Melbourne: L.Pickett (concussion), van Rooyen (nose)
Geelong: Dangerfield (groin)

LATE CHANGES
Melbourne: Nil
Geelong: Sam De Koning (illness), replaced in selected side by Ollie Henry

Crowd: 49,292 at the MCG