The VFL Cats have made four changes for this week's clash with the Giants, as they look to win their sixth consecutive game and cement their position in the top four. 

Mark O'Connor and Brandan Parfitt headline the inclusions for Geelong, returning for their first games with the VFL Cats this season. 

Kye Annand will play his first VFL game in 2024 following a very impressive campaign last year, while Lewis Antonac rounds out the changes for this week. 

VFL Match Centre | Round 9

Jhye Clark will miss the VFL clash with the Giants after earning a recall to the AFL side, following an impressive 27 disposal and two goal performance against Coburg last Saturday.

Hamish Sinnott, Tanner Lovell and Tanner Lewis are the other three players who will miss the clash this weekend. 

The VFL Cats will do battle with GWS on Saturday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium, with the opening bounce at 12.05pm before Geelong's AFL team battle the Giants later in the day. 

All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.

VFL Round 9

Geelong v GWS Giants
12.05pm AEST, Saturday May 25, 2024
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

In: Brandan Parfitt, Mark O'Connor, Kye Annand, Lewis Antonac

Out: Jhye Clark (AFL), Hamish Sinnott, Tanner Lovell, Tanner Lewis

The VFL Cats have recorded their sixth straight win on Saturday afternoon, cruising to a comfortable 61 point win over the GWS Giants at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong had big winners right across the park, but it was Mitch Hardie who led the way collecting 36 disposals and a goal, to go with eight clearances and ten marks.

Shaun Mannagh continued his strong form in front of the big sticks booting an equal game high three goals, while Ted Clohesy (25 possessions & 2 goals) and George Stevens (26 disposals, 8 clearances & 1 goal) were dominant all day.

The win further entrenches the Cats inside the top four on the VFL ladder, marking their sixth consecutive win to sit in third position with a healthy percentage. 

Geelong continued their scintillating form early in the contest, slamming home five goals to none in the opening term to take a 30 point lead into the first break.

Kye Annand kick-started proceedings on his return to the VFL, going back with the flight to take an impressive intercept mark before converting the set shot for the Cats opening goal.

James Willis joined in the action with a nice set shot finish, Shaun Mannagh crumbed beautifully and slotted his first major, before Mitch Hardie roosted home a long range goal to help the Cats build an early lead.

Kaelan Bradtke pulled down a beautiful contested mark late in the quarter, with his goal giving the Cats a healthy 30 point buffer at the first break.

Geelong absorbed some intense pressure in the second term as GWS mounted a challenge, before Shaun Mannagh regained momentum for the Cats with his second goal of the contest.

Patrick Hughes converted a set shot to steady the ship just before half time, as the Cats re-established a 25 point lead at the main break.

Mitch Hardie continued his stellar form with 18 disposals and a goal in the opening half, while Emerson Jeka looked rock solid down back with 16 touches and numerous intercept possessions.

Geelong got off to a dream start in the second half, with Bradtke and Willis both putting through their second goals in the first five minutes of the third quarter to extend the Cats lead.

Shaun Mannagh continued to be the difference maker, slotting his third goal midway through the quarter to give him 15 majors in his opening six games of the VFL season.

Ted Clohesy snapped home a beauty from the pocket late in the quarter, as the Cats built an unassailable 43 point lead at the final break.

It was Clohesy again who got Geelong rolling in the last quarter, sending through his second goal to further solidify the Cats lead.

The contest turned into an arm wrestle throughout the last term, before the Cats finished with a flurry as Willis, Stevens, Connor O'Sullivan and Phoenix Foster all hit the scoreboard in the final ten minutes of the game. 

James Willis was lively up forward (16 disposals & 3 goals), while Dan Capiron (22 disposals & 11 Marks) and Lawson Humphries (21 disposals) both patrolled the backline with authority. 

The VFL Cats will feature on GMHBA Stadium again next Saturday afternoon, taking on Richmond as a curtain raiser to the AFL with the opening bounce at 3.30pm. 

VFL Round 9

GEELONG            5.2     7.4    11.11    16.14   (110)
GWS GIANTS      0.2     3.3     5.4        7.7      (49)
 
GOALS: Mannagh, Willis 3, Bradtke, Clohesy 2, Stevens, Annand, Hardie, Hughes, O'Sullivan, Foster 1

DISPOSALS: Hardie 36, Stevens 26, Clohesy 25, Parfitt 24, Capiron 22

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong