Geelong head back to the MCG for a second straight week, as they prepare to take on Carlton in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster. 

The Cats enter the match carrying plenty of momentum after defeating Hawthorn in a nail-biter on Easter Monday, their third consecutive win following victories against Melbourne and Adelaide. 

This challenge ahead is not an easy one for Geelong, taking on a resurgent Carlton team that has recorded back to back wins over the past fortnight. 

Check out all the key details you need to know ahead of Sunday's clash at the MCG. 

KEY DETAILS  

2025 AFL Season - Round 7
Carlton v Geelong Cats
MCG, Melbourne
Sunday 27th April, 3.20pm (AEST)

TEAM SELECTION

RECENT HISTORY - Geelong v Carlton

The two teams have squared off in some memorable matches over the past few years, particularly the first clash last year and the meeting in 2023 which were both decided by two kicks. 

Carlton got the better of the Cats in the most recent meeting, but Geelong have held the ascendancy dating back to 2010 winning 13 of the past 17 matches against the Blues. 

VENUE HISTORY - MCG 

Geelong improved their winning record at the MCG, defeating Hawthorn by seven points on Easter Monday in their first game at the venue for the 2025 season. 

The Cats have now won three of their last four games at the 'G, while also splitting their past two contests against Carlton. 

Across V/AFL history, Geelong have squared off with the Blues in 22 matches at the MCG and hold a narrow advantage, winning 11 times against 10 losses and one draw. 

One impressive statistic is Geelong's scoring power at the venue, finishing with 100 points or more on seven occasions over the past two years. 

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Rhys Stanley

Since returning to the Cats AFL side in Round 4, Rhys Stanley has not put a foot wrong having a big impact in Geelong's three consecutive wins. 

Averaging 10 disposals and 25 hit-outs per game, the veteran ruck has been able to nullify some of the competition's most dangerous big men, while also pushing forward to kick a couple of goals. 

This week will present Stanley with another big challenge as he goes toe to toe with Tom De Koning, in a battle that could be crucial to giving either team an advantage through the midfield. 

TICKETS

Tickets are available through Ticketek for Sunday's match follow the link provided to secure your seat:
Carlton v Geelong | Round 7 Tickets

Access this game is with a Geelong Cats membership! Buy a Melbourne Flexi Membership for $49 to get General Admission access (subject to capacity):
Melbourne Flexi Membership

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 7 match will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 3.00pm AEST, ahead of the opening bounce at 3.20pm. 

The game will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 3.00pm. 

For those tuning into the radio, K rock will be covering all the action from 2.00pm on 95.5FM, krockfootball.live and the AFL app. 

Cats fans looking to catch all the action at home this year can secure a 2025 Digital Plus Membership, which includes a 12 month subscription to Kayo Premium. Follow the link below for more details. 

Cats Membership: 2025 Digital Plus 

Broadcast Details: 2025 AFL Broadcast Guide

Geelong has been defeated by Carlton at the MCG, going down by 18 points on Sunday afternoon. 

Despite trailing by 28 points at three quarter time, Geelong fought hard to flip the momentum and pushed Carlton right to the final siren, but ultimately the deficit proved too big to overcome. 

The defensive efforts of Connor O'Sullivan (17 disposals, 12 intercept possessions), Sam De Koning (16 disposals, 11 intercepts) and Lawson Humphries (21 disposals, eight intercepts) helped to keep the Cats in the contest against an impressive Carlton outfit. 

Jeremy Cameron (four goals, nine score involvements) lead the way offensively for Geelong, while Bailey Smith (29 disposals) and Shaun Mannagh (25 disposals, seven clearances) both found plenty of the footy. 

The two teams traded blows in a see-sawing opening term, a Patrick Dangerfield goal after the siren pulling the Cats back within one point at quarter time. 

The clearance battle (16-7) was heavily in Carlton's favour during the first quarter but Geelong's intercept defenders helped to stem the momentum, particularly Connor O'Sulivan (six intercept possessions) and Sam De Koning (five intercepts). 

Geelong were on the back foot early in the second term after conceding four unanswered goals, finding two majors of their own late but the deficit increased to 19 points by half time. 

Amongst a flurry of inside 50 entries from Carlton, O'Sullivan and De Koning continued to limit the damage by picking off eight intercept possessions each, while Lawson Humphries (15 disposals, six intercepts) was also dominant across half back. 

Shaun Mannagh carried on from his strong display against Hawthorn laying seven tackles and winning three clearances in the first half, Tom Atkins laid an incredible 10 tackles by the main break and Bailey Smith accumulated a team high 16 disposals. 

Geelong swiftly set about closing the gap with two quick goals to start the third quarter, but Carlton regained the ascendancy and pulled away once again, the Cats finding themselves 28 points adrift heading into the last quarter. 

It took just 15 seconds for Jeremy Cameron to get involved in the final term, curling home his fourth goal to give the Cats some momentum early. 

Mark Blicavs followed suit minutes later, before Bailey Smith slotted Geelong's third in eight minutes to pull the Cats back within 10 points. 

Geelong continued to fight right until the final siren but ultimately the deficit was too big to overcome, eventually falling by 18 points in an enthralling battle with the Blues. 

The Cats will look to bounce back next Saturday night, as they head back to the MCG for a blockbuster clash with Collingwood in the final game of their triple-header at the venue. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 6

CARLTON      3.3      8.5      12.8     14.10    (94) 
GEELONG      3.2      5.4      8.4       12.4    (76)
 
GOALS 
Carlton: Curnow, McKay 3, Fogarty 2, Williams, O.Hollands, De Koning, Durdin, White, Hewett 1
Geelong: Cameron 4, Dempsey 2, Stengle, Dangerfield, O'Connor, Blicavs, Smith, Close 1

BEST
Carlton: McKay, Walsh, Curnow, De Koning, Weitering, Hewett, Haynes
Geelong: Smith, Cameron, Dempsey, Mannagh, Humphries

DISPOSALS
Carlton: Walsh 30, Hewett, Cripps 29, E.Hollands, Cerra 25
Geelong: Smith 29, Mannagh 25, Humphries, Guthrie 21, Holmes 20

INJURIES
Carlton: Zac Williams (calf)
Geelong: Nil

SUBSTITUTES 
Carlton: Cooper Lord (replaced Zac Williams in the first quarter)
Geelong: Ollie Henry (replaced Oli Wiltshire in the third quarter)

Crowd: 67,658 @ MCG