Back to GMHBA Stadium for the final time in the 2025 AFL season on Friday night, with Geelong preparing to take on Essendon in Round 22 as they look to continue the momentum they have gathered over the past three weeks. 

Sitting inside the top four with three games remaining in the regular season, the Cats will be looking to solidify their spot this weekend before taking on Sydney in Round 23 and Richmond in the lead up to September. 

Star Cat, Gryan Miers will reach his 150th AFL game on Friday night, another milestone in an incredible journey for the brilliant player. 

Catch up on everything you need to know heading into Geelong's clash with the Bombers. 

KEY DETAILS  

2025 AFL Season - Round 22

Geelong Cats v Essendon

GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Friday August 8th, 7.40pm (AEST)

TEAM SELECTION

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Ollie Dempsey

Just quietly going about his business, Ollie Dempsey's terrific 2025 campaign was recognised this week when he was selected in the AFLPA's 22Under22 squad for the second straight year. 

The young star is still averaging a very solid 16.6 disposals per game, but has also had an extraordinary impact in the forward half kicking 25 goals and dishing off 12 goal assists. 

His elite running capacity and incredible knack of finding space on the wing has been a game changer for Geelong, with Dempsey set to be very important once again on Friday night. 

RECENT HISTORY - Geelong v Essendon

Geelong have enjoyed plenty of success against Essendon in recent history, winning the last eight consecutive matches by an average of 56 points dating back to 2018. 

The Bombers have not ventured down the highway very often, with only two trips to Kardinia Park to face the Cats in the past 32 years. 

Geelong's lowest score in their past seven games against Essendon is 98, eclipsing the 100 point mark in six of those matches and consistently finding multiple avenues to goal. 

VENUE HISTORY - GMHBA Stadium 

The Cats will be looking to add to their strong record at home in 2025, winning seven of their nine games at GMHBA Stadium including the last three in a row. 

Geelong have capitalised on the home ground advantage and have found multiple avenues to goal, exceeding 100 points on six different occasions and recording an average winning margin of 49 points. 

As previously mentioned, Essendon have only squared off with Geelong twice at GMHBA Stadium since 1993, with the Cats prevailing in both matches. The Bombers last win against Geelong at the venue came in Round 18 of the 1990 season. 

VFL | Round 20

Geelong V Essendon
Saturday 9th August
Bounce: 12:05pm AEST
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

TICKETS

Tickets are available for Friday night's game at GMHBA Stadium, secure your seat through Ticketmaster so you don't miss a minute of the action as Geelong take on Essendon. 

If you have any questions about AFL ticketing or membership please contact Geelong Cats Membership Services here.

General Admission Areas

General Admission areas for this match are:

• Gate 1 - Joel Selwood Stand, A42 - A44 
• Gate 5 or 8 – Players Stand, A14 - A15
• Gate 5 or 8 – Family / Dry Area, A10 - A13

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 22 clash with Essendon will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 7.30pm AEST, ahead of the opening bounce at 7.40pm. 

The match will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 7.30pm. 

K rock will be covering the match and all the pre-game build up from 6.00pm, tune into 95.5FM, krockfootball.live or the AFL app to follow along. 

Make sure to follow @GeelongCats social media channels for updates pre, during and post game.

Broadcast Details: 2025 AFL Broadcast Guide

Geelong has moved one step closer to securing a spot in the top four, closing out a 44 point win over Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. 

Despite a solid opening half, the Cats did not have it all their own way as they were forced to stave off a strong challenge from the Bombers after the main break, steadying late to claim an important four points with two games remaining in the home and away season. 

Star on-baller, Bailey Smith continued his sublime first season at Geelong with another stellar performance, amassing 33 disposals, nine clearances and three goal assists. 

Shaun Mannagh (20 disposals) kicked three goals at crucial stages of the match, Jack Bowes (24 disposals, three goal assists) was busy all night, while Zach Guthrie (16 disposals, 10 marks) put together a pivotal performance across half back. 

In his 150th AFL game, Gryan Miers was at his creative best in the forward half accumulating 22 disposals and a game-high 11 score involvements. 

Cats fans could not get the song 'Tequila' out of their heads in the opening term as Shannon Neale started the game in scintillating form, booting the first three goals of the match in quick succession. 

Tom Stewart and Connor O'Sullivan were instrumental across half back early, stifling numerous Essendon attacks as Geelong built a 21 point lead at quarter time. 

Jeremy Cameron swung into full gear in the second quarter as the superstar forward started to make his presence felt, kicking two goals as the Cats extended the margin to 37 points at the main break. 

With Geelong generating plenty of space in transition, Brad Close was able to capitalise and get dangerous collecting eight disposals and a goal in the second term alone. 

Bailey Smith and Max Holmes continued to find plenty of the footy accumulating 34 disposals between them in the first half, while Mark Blicavs (13 disposals) and Zach Guthrie (11 disposals) helped the Cats to control proceedings. 

If anyone thought that Geelong would have it all their own way in the second half, they were badly mistaken as the Bombers charged back into the contest with four unanswered goals to significantly trim the margin. 

Milestone man, Gryan Miers helped to stem the bleeding late in the third term before Shaun Mannagh converted brilliantly on the run, the Cats re-establishing a 32-point buffer at the final break. 

Essendon were able to close the gap once again early in the final term, pulling within 20 points before Mannagh landed another vital blow with his third goal of the night, helping to steady the ship. 

Geelong then regained the ascendancy and pulled away late, Cameron adding to his tally with two more majors as the Cats closed out a 44 point victory. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 22

GEELONG CATS    4.5    7.10    11.13   15.19   (109)  
ESSENDON              1.2     2.3      7.5      10.5    (65)  

GOALS
Geelong Cats: Neale, Mannagh, Cameron 3, Blicavs 2, Miers, Dempsey, Close 1
Essendon: McMahon 4, Wright, Merrett, McGrath, Guelfi, Gresham, Duursma 1

BEST
Geelong: Smith, Holmes, Miers, Mannagh, Cameron, O'Sullivan
Essendon: Roberts, Merrett, McGrath, McMahon, Durham

DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Smith 31, Holmes 29, Bowes 24, Miers, Blicavs 22
Essendon: Roberts 33, Merrett 27, Redman 24, Shiel, McGrath 23

INJURIES
Geelong: J.Henry (hamstring tightness)
Essendon: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Geelong Cats: Jack Martin (management) replaced by Jhye Clark
Essendon: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong Cats: Jhye Clark (replaced Jack Henry at half time)
Essendon: Jye Menzie (replaced Luamon Lual in the third quarter)

Crowd: 30,289 at GMHBA Stadium