AFL 2025 round four LIVE updates: Demons stay in the fight; Cats star hamstrung; security boosted after MCG incident

Just when it looked like the Cats had seized control of the game, Melbourne showed the sort of fight that has been absent from their game since round one.

Trailing by a game-high 29 points, the Dees manufactured goals from Christian Petracca – after a neat chain of possessions tight against the boundary on the wing – and Jacob van Rooyen.

Max Gawn is starting to get on top in the middle against Rhys Stanley, grabbing the ball from the ruck to set up a centre clearance that resulted in a stirring goal to impressive youngster Harvey Langford.

The Cats, as they did last week against the Lions, dropped their guard after building a comfortable lead. This is most un-Geelong-like, but this is a younger Cats team than in previous years.

Patrick Dangerfield has been the most influential player on the field in terms of the impact of his possessions, while Petracca looks dangerous for the Dees – both forward and on the ball.

Clayton Oliver has enjoyed not having to chase Matt Rowell around. The key for the Dees will be to maintain this determination in the second half when fatigue really kicks in.

The Cats need to tidy up their work around the ball – starting with Stanley, whose duel with Gawn threatens to be the defining match-up of this game.