Geelong will be looking to get themselves back on the winner's list, when they return to GMHBA Stadium this Sunday for a clash with Carlton. 

It looms as a pivotal match for the Cats after slipping out of top eight last week, falling to Hawthorn by seven points in a Thursday night thriller at Kardinia Park. 

With five games remaining in the home and away season, Geelong can not afford many more defeats as they look to return to Finals after missing out last year. 

As the Cats prepare to take on the fifth placed Blues this weekend, take a look at everything you need to know in the build up to the game. 

Match Details | AFLW Round 8

Geelong Cats v Carlton
Sunday October 3rd
Bounce: 3:05pm AEST
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Last Time We Met

It turned into an afternoon to forget for the Cats the last time they faced Carlton, held to their lowest score (five points) since entering the competition in a 24 point defeat at IKON Park. 

In wet and windy conditions, Geelong struggled to hit the scoreboard despite matching the Blues in most statistics, still winning a number of other areas across the ground. 

Nina Morrison (24 disposals, seven tackles) was among the Cats best, as were Mikayla Bowen (17 disposals, 11 tackles) and Amy McDonald (19 disposals, nine clearances) on a tricky day in Melbourne. 

Team Selection 

Key Player To Watch

Jackie Parry

Parry has been in sensational form this year and will be vital again this weekend, as the Cats look to increase their output in front of the big sticks. 

Across the opening seven weeks of the season, Parry has kicked 10 goals and averages 5.7 score involvements per game, while also getting involved up the field with an average of 13.7 disposals per match. 

Parry leads the Cats for marks, marks inside 50 and sits second for score involvements, tackles inside 50 and contested marks, set to be a crucial factor in Sunday's game once again. 

Tickets

Tickets are available for Sunday's match through Ticketmaster, with adult tickets available from $15 while kids under 18 get in free. 

Fans who head to the game will also be able to access the Cats Shop's biggest in-store sale of the season, with no item on Level 1 (upstairs) over $60. 

Among the exciting sale, supporters will be able to buy half-price guernseys and $50 mystery packs, while every purchase will also receive a free gift. 

Broadcast  

Geelong's Round 8 clash with Carlton will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 and streamed through 7plus from 3.00pm, ahead of the opening bounce at 3.05pm. 

You can also catch all the action on Fox Footy or Kayo from 3.00pm. 

Follow @catswomens social media channels for updates pre, during and post game.

Broadcast Guide

Geelong has fallen short in a thrilling clash with Carlton on Sunday afternoon, going down by 18 points at GMHBA Stadium. 

In what loomed as a crucial match in the context of their season, the Cats were competitive right throughout the afternoon but were unable to impact the scoreboard when it mattered, Carlton kicking the final two goals of the game to seal the result. 

Amy McDonald was amongst the best players on the ground with a stellar outing, finishing with 25 disposals and six clearances, while also registering five score involvements and five intercept possessions. 

Aishling Moloney (18 disposals, two goals) showcased her Irish flair inside forward 50 throughout the afternoon, Mikayla Bowen (18 disposals, eight tackles) worked hard all game, while Emma Kilpatrick (11 disposals) had a number of brilliant moments with the game on the line. 

Geelong was under immense pressure early as Carlton dominated most facets of the game, a lone goal in transition proved to be the Cats' only score in the opening quarter as they found themselves trailing by 12 points at the first break. 

The scoreboard flattered the Cats as the Blues squandered a number of chances. Carlton led the inside 50 count 18-4 at quarter-time but managed only two goals, keeping Geelong within striking distance. 

The Cats produced one of their best plays of the season late in the second term. Becky Webster won a crucial one-on-one contest across half-back, Jackie Parry pulled down a brilliant mark and it set up an Aishling Moloney goal, pulling Geelong back within 11 points at the main break.

Remaining within two goals was an impressive feat considering the Cats trailed the inside 50 count (-21), the clearance battle (-4) and the contested possessions (-10), but they lifted their pressure around the ground and started to get some play on their terms. 

Amy McDonald collected a team-high 13 disposals in the first half, Moloney amassed 12 possessions and six score involvements to go with her goal, while Georgie Prespakis worked hard defensively to pick off five intercept possessions.  

A similar trend continued after half-time with Geelong refusing to lie down, starting to control large portions of the game inside their attacking half and eventually it paid dividends. 

Moloney created something out of nothing to kick her second goal of the afternoon, before Mikayla Bowen hit the scoreboard late in the third term to drag the Cats back within four points at the final break. 

The prime mover for Geelong was Amy McDonald through the midfield, who collected seven disposals and two clearances in the third quarter while operating at 100% disposal efficiency, helping to set up a grandstand finish at GMHBA Stadium.

With the stakes high for both teams, the intensity went to a new level in the final term and Geelong found opportunities, but it was Carlton that landed a telling blow with the first goal of the quarter to extend their lead. 

The Blues then put the final nail in the coffin in the dying moments of the game, Geelong slumping to their fifth loss of the season and now facing an uphill battle to secure a place in the AFLW Finals. 

2025 AFLW Season - Round 8

GEELONG     1.0    3.3     5.6     5.7    (37)
CARLTON    2.6    4.8    5.10    7.13    (55)    

GOALS
Geelong: Moloney 2, Parry, Kearns, Bowen 1
Carlton: Fitzpatrick 2, Hill, Harrington, Bohanna, Vescio, Keck 1

BEST
Geelong: McDonald, Moloney, Bowen, Prespakis, Kearns
Carlton: McKay, Fitzpatrick, Hill, Velardo, Vescio

INJURIES
Geelong: McDonald (TBC)
Carlton: Nil

Crowd: 2,907 at GMHBA Stadium