Geelong will host the Northern Bullants at GMHBA Stadium this Sunday 

Geelong’s VFL side will welcome back a host of AFL experience for their clash with the Bullants this Sunday, as the Cats look for a strong finish to their season with three games remaining. 

Jed Bews has been named for his first VFL game of the season, returning from an injury he sustained in the AFL Cats round 16 clash with Sydney, Sam Menegola returns to the Geelong team after missing last week as he continues to build momentum after returning from a long-term injury and Oisin Mullin returns after spending three valuable weeks in the AFL side. 

Jonathon Ceglar rounds out the inclusions for Geelong, returning from an extended injury lay-off to take over the ruck duties against the Bullants. 

Following two promising performances on return from injury, exciting young ruckman Toby Conway will miss Sunday’s game through injury. 

Mace Cousins will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured fibula, after emerging as one of the Cats best VFL prospects throughout the 2023 season. 

Jamie Quick, Tom Panuccio and Tom Feely will also miss Sunday’s clash. 

The VFL Cats will take on the Northern Bullants from 12:05pm on Sunday at GMHBA Stadium. The game will be streamed live and free on the official AFL App and website.  

VFL Round 19

IN: Jonathon Ceglar, Jed Bews, Sam Menegola, Oisin Mullin, Mark O'Connor
OUT: Jamie Quick, Mace Cousins (injured), Thomas Panuccio, Toby Conway (injured), Tom Feely

The VFL Cats claimed a crucial four points on Sunday, closing out a dominant 90-point win against the Northern Bullants at GMHBA Stadium. 

Geelong fielded one of their strongest line-ups of the season against the Bullants, with 14 AFL-listed players providing valuable experience in a must-win game. 

Jed Bews returned from injury for his first game in four weeks, Oisin Mullin was a welcome addition after spending time in the AFL side and Sam Menegola slotted back in after a week off. 

All the Stats: Geelong v North Bullants

Ollie Dempsey starred for Geelong, picking up 28 disposals and booting five goals while Brandan Parfitt was strong through the midfield with 38 disposals and six clearances. 

Sam Menegola continues to mount his case for an AFL recall, amassing 28 possessions in an impressive display while Mitch Knevitt was also dominant with 27 touches and two goals. 

Ollie Dempsey got the Cats off to a blistering start, kicking his first goal within the opening minute and chalking up three majors before the 10-minute mark of the first quarter. 

Jye Chalcraft added another with a classy snap, as the Cats held the Bullants goalless to take a 28-point lead into the first break. 

Dempsey added nine possessions alongside his three goals in an impressive start, while Sam Menegola and Mitch Knevitt both looked a class above in the midfield with seven disposals each. 

After dominating at the start of the second quarter,  Geelong finally got rewarded for their efforts when Shannon Neale slotted his first of the day from deep in the forward pocket. 

The Cats broke the game open late in the term, extending their lead to 55 points at the main break. 

Jye Chalcraft snapped home his second of the contest, and Brandan Parfitt steered through a classy snap of his own before Tom Feely converted a set-shot on the half-time siren. 

Parfitt was dominant through the middle with 22 disposals in the first half, Ted Clohesy was heavily involved with 18 possessions and 11-marks while Osca Riccardi picked up 13 touches of his own. 

Shannon Neale looked lively up forward taking six marks, while Esava Ratugolea was rock solid down back with nine disposals and numerous intercept marks in the opening half. 

Ollie Dempsey started the second half the same way he started the first, kicking the opening goal of the third quarter and his fourth of the day before Jye Chalcraft added his third at the ten-minute mark. 

After a slight momentum shift midway through the quarter, Mitch Knevitt steadied the ship with a beautiful long-range set-shot before Neale slotted his second major on the three-quarter-time siren. 

Entering the last quarter with a 54-point lead, the Cats put their foot down and pulled away after the final break.

Jed Bews kicked his first goal after earning a free kick deep inside forward 50, Tom Feely slotted his second major before Phoenix Foster joined in the action with his first of the contest. 

Knevitt, Feely, Dempsey, and Neale all chimed in again late in the quarter as the Cats ran away with the 90-point victory. 

Ted Clohesy put together his best game of the season with 26 disposals and 13-marks, while Osca Riccardi impressed with 22 disposals of his own. 

The VFL Cats will enjoy one last weekend off, before returning for a pivotal penultimate clash with Collingwood. 

VFL Round 19

GEELONG          4.5      8.10    12.11    19.18     (132)
N BULLANTS     0.1       0.3       4.5        6.6        (42)

GOALS: Dempsey 5, Neale, Chalcraft, Feely 3, Knevitt 2, Parfitt, Bews, Foster 1

DISPOSALS: Parfitt 38, Menegola, Dempsey 28, Knevitt 27, Clohesy 26