Geelong are set to head back to the MCG for a third consecutive week, as they prepare to take on Collingwood from 7.35pm on Saturday night. 

The Cats will be looking to bounce back after their three game win streak was snapped by Carlton on Sunday, but they still remain in the top eight on the ladder through the first seven weeks of the season. 

The challenge this week will be no easier for Geelong, facing a Collingwood outfit that comes into this match on a six-game win streak, currently perched on top of the ladder. 

Check out everything you need to know ahead of Saturday night's blockbuster clash at the MCG.  

KEY DETAILS  

2025 AFL Season - Round 8
Collingwood v Geelong Cats
MCG, Melbourne
Saturday 3rd May, 7.35pm (AEST)

TEAM SELECTION

RECENT HISTORY - Geelong v Collingwood

Geelong and Collingwood have played in a number of memorable games across recent history, with the Cats coming out on top in their last meeting which came in Round 18 of the 2024 season. 

The Cats have held a reasonably good record against the Magpies winning five of the last seven matches, and eight of the last 12 games dating back to 2017.  

One particularly interesting stat has been Geelong's scoring power against Collingwood, scoring 100 points or more in four of the last seven matches. 

VENUE HISTORY - MCG 

Geelong have split their opening two games at the MCG this season, defeating Hawthorn on Easter Monday before falling to Carlton on Sunday in Round 7.

It has been a mixed bag of results for the Cats over the past 12 months, winning five of their last nine matches at the venue while also taking down Collingwood by 20 points among that stretch. 

The Cats have won seven of their last 10 matches against the Magpies at the MCG, dating back to late in the 2017 season. 

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Max Holmes

The midfield battle will be crucial on Saturday night, with an exciting battle looming between the likes of Max Holmes and Nick Daicos. 

Holmes started the season in sensational form but was well held by Carlton last week, his run and carry will be particularly important through the middle against the Magpies this week. 

Through the first seven weeks, Holmes ranks second at Geelong for disposals and inside 50's, while sitting third for clearances and contested possessions. 

A strong performance from Holmes will be vital for the Cats on Saturday night if they are to secure a positive result. 

TICKETS

Saturday night's match against Collingwood is fully ticketed event. General Admission Cats members with access must upgrade their membership to a reserved seat to attend. Alternatively, Cats fans can purchase a ticket via Ticketek.

Geelong's next home game at GMHBA Stadium is against GWS on Mother's Day, with first bounce at 3.20pm. Secure your ticket today via the link here. 

LIVE BLOG

Tune into the Geelong Cats website on Saturday night to follow all the action with the Cats official live blog. 

Coverage will start from 6.15pm AEST and will cover all the build up to the big game, before the opening bounce at 7.35pm. 

The blog will be available on the front of the website from 6.00pm on Saturday night. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 8 clash will be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 7.30pm AEST, ahead of the opening bounce at 7.35pm. 

For those tuning into the radio, K rock will be covering all the action from 6.00pm 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 prevailed in one of the most dramatic finishes to a match in recent history, defeating Collingwood by three points in front of 82,514 at the MCG on Saturday night. 

The Cats stormed to a commanding lead with four unanswered goals to start the final quarter, before the Magpies pegged back the deficit late to set up a grandstand finish. 

With time ticking down, Jack Crisp had an opportunity to win the game after the final siren but he dragged his kick wide, Geelong hanging on the record a famous victory. 

Patrick Dangerfield dominated throughout the night finishing with 29 disposals, 17 contested possessions and eight score involvements, having a telling hand in numerous scoring opportunities in the final quarter. 

Bailey Smith (34 disposals, five clearances) continued his strong run of form with another terrific display, along with Shaun Mannagh (18 disposals, eight clearances, two goals) and Sam De Koning (10 intercept possessions). 

Geelong started strongly in the opening term, booting four of the first five goals to skip out to an early lead before Collingwood came charging back, leaving the Cats trailing by three points at the first break. 

Bailey Smith made his presence felt early collecting nine disposals in the opening stanza, while Ollie Dempsey soared high into the night sky to pull down another mark of the year contender. 

The Magpies continued to extend their lead early in the second quarter, but Geelong were able to arrest momentum and fight their way back into the contest, remaining just seven points adrift at half time. 

Smith continued his dominant half with 15 disposals and a game high 337 metres gained, while Mitch Duncan did not look out of place in his AFL return, accumulating 13 disposals at 85% efficiency. 

The third quarter continued in a similar trend to the second, with Collingwood threatening to break the game open as they raced out to a 19-point lead, before the Cats wrestled the match back to cut the deficit to seven points at the final break. 

Sam De Koning and Mark O'Connor were immense under pressure in the third term, picking off numerous intercept possessions to help thwart a number of Collingwood attacks early. 

The final quarter was an absolute heart-stopper, as both sides has chances to seal the deal in a dramatic finish to an epic contest. 

Geelong kicked four unanswered goals to start the last term, kicking away to a 17-point lead as time continued to tick down but it was never going to be that simple.

Collingwood mounted one final charge to pull back within a kick late, setting up an opportunity for Jack Crisp to be the hero after the final siren. 

With the game on his boot, Crisp dragged his set-shot wide and the Cats held on to claim an iconic three point victory. 

Geelong return home to GMHBA Stadium next Sunday afternoon, as they take on the GWS Giants. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 8

COLLINGWOOD     4.5      7.7      10.10     12.15    (87) 
GEELONG CATS     4.2      6.6       9.9       13.12     (90)
 
GOALS 
Collingwood: Mihocek 4, Pendlebury, Membrey, Houston, Hill, Elliott, N.Daicos, Cox, Cameron 1
Geelong Cats: Mannagh, Henry, Dempsey 2, Wiltshire, Smith, Neale, Dangerfield, Cameron, Bowes, Blicavs 1

BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Pendlebury, Cameron, J. Daicos, Sidebottom, Mihocek
Geelong: Dangerfield, Smith, Blicavs, Holmes, Atkins, Dempsey

DISPOSALS
Collingwood: J.Daicos 32, N.Daicos 28, Pendlebury 26, Sidebottom 25, Cameron 23
Geelong Cats: Smith 34, Dangerfield 29, Holmes, Atkins 21, Duncan 20

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Geelong: Stanley (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES 
Collingwood: Will Hoskin-Elliott (replaced Mason Cox in the fourth quarter)
Geelong Cats: Oli Wiltshire (replaced Rhys Stanley in the second quarter)

Crowd: 82,514 @ MCG