<p>North Melbourne is at serious risk of leaving all the progress it’s made in season 2025 behind.</p> <p>A month removed now from their last win, in a second half of the season that was meant to open up for them and have more wins on offer, it has been a disappointing and troubling month for the men at Arden Street.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their most recent loss to the Swans was their third game in a row where they, by and large, had been in the game until well into the second half but fell away to lose. Their latest loss has seen the Roos re-enter the bottom four on the ladder, and they look poised to finish there for a sixth straight season.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats bounced back from two defeats in their past three starts, making light work of the Saints at home. Jeremy Cameron was the star with another big bag of goals as he took more steps to sew up another Coleman Medal. If you look at the Cats run home… could he get the ton if they make a deep finals run? It’s not totally beyond the realms of possibility..</p> <p>At 12-6 and sitting in fourth spot entering the round, the Cats have one hand on a top-four finish thanks to their kind draw. It starts this week with the tiring Kangaroos and takes in clashes with the Tigers and Essendon down in Geelong too.&nbsp;</p> <p>It gives the chance for the Cats to tune up and try some things to get ready for a September campaign. While for the Roos, they need to show that they actually have progressed in season 2025. While that might not necessarily need to be a win over Geelong (as strong a statement that would be) but it needs to be a sign of growth and fight.&nbsp;</p> <p>At selection for the Roos, they will need to pick yet another replacement ruckman after luckless Callum Coleman-Jones broke down again in his return game when he was picked to replace Tristan Xerri. It could mean that youngster Taylor Goad might be called upon to make his senior Roos debut.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos could also welcome back Nick Larkey, who was kept out of the trip north to Sydney, given more time to overcome his knee issue. George Wardlaw is another option to come in after his successful return to footy after his latest concussion setback.</p> <p>At the Cats, Tom Stewart is expected to play despite being subbed out with a knee concern in the win over the Saints. There wouldn’t be too many forced changes despite a trio of Cats (Ted Clohesy, Jed Bews and Ollie Henry) putting their hands up with strong performances in the VFL.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Roos vs Cats prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Geelong Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Melbourne Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Riley Hardeman, Toby Pink, Griffin Logue</p> <p>HB: Caleb Daniel, Charlie Comben, Finn O’Sullivan</p> <p>C: Dylan Stephens, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Colby McKercher</p> <p>HF: Tom Powell, Jack Darling, Cam Zurhaar</p> <p>F: Paul Curtis, Nick Larkey, Robert Hansen Jr</p> <p>Foll: Brynn Teakle, George Wardlaw, Harry Sheezel</p> <p>Int: Taylor Goad, Jacob Konstanty, Luke Parker, Will Dawson, Zach Banch</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geelong Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Tom Stewart, Jack Henry, Connor O’Sullivan</p> <p>HB: Zach Guthrie, Sam De Koning, Lawson Humphries</p> <p>C: Jack Martin, Max Holmes, Ollie Dempsey</p> <p>HF: Brad Close, Shannon Neale, Shaun Mannagh</p> <p>F: Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle</p> <p>Foll: Rhys Stanley, Tom Atkins, Bailey Smith</p> <p>Int: Oisin Mullin, Mark O’Connor, Jack Bowes, Gryan Miers, Ollie Henry</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Geelong Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>You have to go all the way back to Round 15, 2015, to find the last time that North Melbourne beat Geelong.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s all one-way traffic, the Cats' way, and the numbers suggest that it’s the case here too.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats have improved their offence to be second overall in the competition. They are ranked number one for ball movement, ranked second for chain to score, points for, and shots at goal, and are ranked third for points scored off turnover.</p> <p>The Roos, who have been leaking points like a sieve all year,&nbsp; rank second last only to West Coast in almost all defensive metrics. highlighting the major issue they’ve had all year and chasm they have in their list.&nbsp;</p> <p>We think the Cats do this pretty comfortably.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-geelong-cats-9409477">Cats</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>As mature age pickups go, you'd be hard-pressed to find one as well-versed and skilled as Shaun Mannagh.&nbsp;</p> <p>A breakout game in a final last year, he’s been a constant in Chris Scott’s side this year and has started to really find his place on the scoreboard over the last month consistently.&nbsp;</p> <p>After two bags of three goals in the past month, we’re picking him to kick things off at Marvel for the Cats.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-geelong-cats-9409477">Shaun Mannagh</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Thankfully for Roos fans, Luke Davies-Uniacke showed no signs of the effects of his concussion last week against the Swans, winning a stack of the ball as he fought all day.</p> <p>He’s been a top performer and renowned ball winner against the Cats before, averaging 29 touches from his past five games against Geelong. We’re picking him for another big one and to top the charts in this one.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-geelong-cats-9409477">Luke Davies-Uniacke 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Geelong Cats Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, July 26, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:35pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Marvel Stadium, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>