The eleventh round of the 2025 AFL season saw many highlights and lowlights, including Bailey Smith defeating his former team, Sydney losing by more than 50 points, and Greater Western Sydney upsetting the Carlton Blues.
Bailey Smith has the last laugh against former team
In his first encounter against his former team – Western Bulldogs- Bailey Smith has had the last laugh as he guided the Geelong Cats to a 14-point win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to kick off Round 11.
Needing injections to play, Smith led the disposal count with 33 possessions and also had four marks and seven tackles as he went up against his former teammates and made the Bulldogs regret not keeping him at the club.
Not to be outdone by Smith, Geelong duo Jeremy Cameron (six) and Shannon Neale (five) kicked 11 goals between them in a match that the Cats never looked like losing.
“I certainly s*** myself for this game but it was almost reverse psychology with them not giving me attention,” Smith told Channel Seven after the match.
“So it was good; they didn’t go after me, and I loved it. I’m so glad we beat them.”
There aren’t many sights in footy better than seeing Jezza do his thing 🤩 pic.twitter.com/YvtjAdOnx3
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) May 24, 2025
Swans inconsistent season continues
While the Melbourne Demons claimed their fifth win of the season and moved up to 11th on the ladder after defeating Sydney, it is another story for the Swans. Making the Grand Final last year, the loss has further continued the Swans inconsistent season under Dean Cox.
Playing at home, Sydney failed to turn up to the match and were outplayed and outmanoeuvred by their opponents, particularly Kysaiah Pickett, who had a best-on-ground performance with five goals, 24 disposals, four marks and four tackles.
As the Swans go back to the drawing board, the Melbourne has finally found their best form this season and will be eager to continue it going forward with all their star players such as Christian Petracca starring in the clash.
“We were beaten badly around the contest,” Sydney coach Dean Cox said via AFL.com.au.
“Obviously, that led to inside 50s, we’d try and dig it out of our back half, they’d win the contest across their half-forward line, and get it back inside 50 … A lot of (Narrm’s) experienced mids were tougher, cleaner, harder, and probably even a lot of the periphery players as well.”
Kozzy is in a RARE PLACE right now 😮💨#DemonSpirit | #AFLDeesSwans pic.twitter.com/OVhYHQUEwg
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) May 25, 2025
Giants upset the Blues in Victoria
While their inner-state rivals (Sydney Swans) struggled in Round 11, it was another story for the Greater Western Sydney Giants who upset the Carlton Blues by 28 points away from home at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In Toby Greene’s 250th milestone match, the Giants produced a stellar performance for the captain, especially the club’s forwards who stood up in the moment. Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi, Callum Brown and Aaron Cadman all kicked multiple goals as they bewildered the Blues defence.
Greene also had an impressive outing as he celebrated the historic milestone with 28 touches, three goals, 13 score involvements and six clearances.
“He was reasonable,” GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley joked.
“It’s nice having that piece to be able to shift into the midfield when we’ve lost a few of our first-choice guys.
“We know he’s a great player ahead of the ball, so that’s where we’d probably like to keep him as much as we can. Some injuries suggested we needed to move him into the midfield, the same as Lachie Whitfield in this game. Both of those boys had outstanding games.”
Our 🐐 #Toby250 pic.twitter.com/n0Fgvzmh61
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) May 24, 2025