Super Saturday in AFL Round 1 begins in Geelong with the Cats set to play host to the Fremantle Dockers. Both clubs are expected to be competing for a top 4 spot this season, so we should be in for a high-quality and entertaining match. As always, we bring you our full match preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi below!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2025 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
Geelong vs Fremantle
Location: GMHBA Stadium – Geelong
Date: Saturday, 15th March
Time: 1:20pm AEDT
Odds: Geelong ($1.42) vs Fremantle ($2.85)
Line: Geelong -13.5
Points: 170.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to BoomBet. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week, and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
Geelong and Fremantle kick off their 2025 AFL campaigns in what promises to be a high-quality contest between two sides with top-four aspirations. The Cats enter the season after finishing third in 2024 with a 15-8 record, but their premiership push ended with a narrow 10-point Preliminary Final loss to eventual champions, Brisbane. Fremantle, on the other hand, endured a heartbreaking end to last season, slipping out of finals contention after losing their last four games to finish 10th with a 12-10-1 record. While the Dockers looked destined for September action for much of the year, their inability to close out games ultimately cost them. When these sides met last August, Geelong edged out a nine-point victory at Optus Stadium, snapping Fremantle’s three-game winning streak in the head-to-head matchup. However, the Dockers have had success in recent years at GMHBA Stadium, winning each of their last two visits to the Cats’ fortress.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding Geelong is the arrival of Bailey Smith, who was lured away from the Western Bulldogs during the off-season. Smith, who missed the entire 2024 campaign with an ACL injury, adds explosive power to the Cats’ midfield and is set to play his first game in over a year. However, Chris Scott’s side will be without key players, including Jed Bews, Tanner Bruhn, Cam Guthrie, and Jake Kolodjashnij, while ruckman Toby Conway is also unavailable. Rhys Stanley has been named as an emergency, meaning Sam De Koning will take on the primary ruck role—an exciting prospect for the club but a significant challenge against Fremantle’s midfield unit. With the Cats boasting plenty of firepower up forward and a strong defensive structure, they’ll be eager to impose themselves early and maintain their strong home record.
For Fremantle, the off-season acquisition of Shai Bolton was a statement of intent, but the former Richmond star will have to wait for his club debut after failing to prove his fitness. The Dockers have also been dealt a further blow with Nat Fyfe, Sean Darcy, and Hayden Young all sidelined, though captain Alex Pearce has been cleared to play. One positive for Fremantle is the debut of highly-rated youngster Murphy Reid, who will get his first taste of AFL football. The Dockers were one of the competition’s best teams in contested possession last year, ranking inside the top four in differential, an area that could give them an advantage over a Geelong side that struggled in that department in 2024. However, Fremantle’s pressure game was a major weakness, ranking last in the league for pressure acts and bottom four for tackles inside 50. Addressing those deficiencies will be crucial if they’re to push for finals and potentially cause an upset in this fixture.
With home-ground advantage and greater continuity in their best 22, the Cats will rightly start as favourites. However, Fremantle’s strong recent record in Geelong, coupled with their elite contested work, makes them a genuine chance to challenge. With that said, I’m happy to back in the talented Dockers to cover the 15.5 point spread.
Fremantle +15.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 AFL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Luke Jackson 2+ Goals – Will play mostly forward on Saturday with Liam Reidy set to lead the ruck. Jackson is entering the prime of his career and is juicy odds for two goals.
Caleb Serong 25+ Disposals – One of the best ball winners and accumulators in the entire competition. He’s also as consistent as they come, and you can expect him to rack up at least 25 here.
Tom Stewart 20+ Disposals – Had a little bit of a down year in 2024 but I think he bounces back this season. Looks as though he’s going back behind the ball and should get plenty of it.
Heath Chapman 15+ Disposals – Finally starting to get a good run with health and that’s huge for the Dockers. Chapman is extremely talented and can find the footy.
SGM Odds: $5.50 at BoomBet
