It all comes down to this.

Geelong and Hawthorn in front of a packed house at a sold-out MCG, the winner to progress to the AFL Grand Final and the loser sent into their off-season. 

It is set to be a fresh new chapter in one of the greatest rivalries of the modern era, the Cats looking to secure their place in a Grand Final for the third time in the last six years. 

With so many exciting things happening on Friday, take a look at everything you need to know in the build up to Friday's blockbuster Preliminary Final. 

KEY DETAILS  

2025 AFL Season - Preliminary Final

Geelong Cats v Hawthorn

MCG, Melbourne

Friday September 19th, 7.40pm (AEST)

TEAM SELECTION

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Tom Stewart

A player that certainly understands what this weekend is all about, Tom Stewart will feature in his sixth Preliminary Final on Friday night, looking to convert that into a third Grand Final appearance.

The star defender has hit a strong vein of form late in the season, averaging 22 disposals, eight marks and nine intercept possessions per game across the last five weeks. 

Stewart's performance in the Qualifying Final was heavily influential in Geelong's victory over Brisbane, finishing the night with 22 disposals, 11 intercept possessions and six intercept marks to help steer the Cats to the penultimate week of the season. 

Hawthorn boast a dangerous forward line, which means Geelong will need Stewart to be a his very best once again on Friday night.

RECENT HISTORY - Geelong v Hawthorn

The latest clash between the two sides was another Easter Monday classic, with Geelong prevailing by seven points earlier this year in front of 88,746 at the MCG. 

Despite the intense rivalry, the Cats have had the better of the battle in recent times winning the last four consecutive games and six of the last seven against the Hawks. 

Dating back to 2016, Geelong have won 11 of the last 15 matches against Hawthorn, looking to continue that form this weekend. 

VENUE HISTORY - MCG

Geelong will be looking to continue their strong form at the MCG this year, having won five of their six games at the venue so far in 2025. 

The Cats scoring power has been particularly impressive, averaging 103 points per game at the MCG this year while also registering 32 scoring shots in their Qualifying Final victory over Brisbane. 

GETTING TO THE GROUND

Fans travelling on the Geelong Line to the Geelong and Hawthorn preliminary final at the MCG on Friday night will have access to seven additional V/Line services.

Before the game, an additional service will depart Waurn Ponds 3.50pm, while additional services will depart Wyndham Vale at 5.19pm and 5.46pm to further boost capacity along the line. In addition, two services that normally originate at South Geelong will start from Waurn Ponds at 3.20pm and 3.41pm, giving passengers more options.

After the game, there will be four additional services to Waurn Ponds, departing Southern Cross at 11.12pm, 11.21pm, 11.45pm and 12.03am. Another three services will run with extra carriages.

Click here to see more information. 

MARCH TO THE 'G

Join us as we March to the 'G once again on Friday night. 

Presented by Gatorade, Geelong's March to the 'G will depart Federation Square at 6.00pm AEST on Friday night, with a swarm of Cats supporters to descend on the MCG ahead of our blockbuster Preliminary Final against Hawthorn.

Led by the Cats marching band, Geelong fans will follow the Yarra River and arrive at the home of football in time for the game. 

SHOW YOUR COLOURS

The penultimate week of the season has arrived and it is time to show your support by painting the town blue and white, as the Cats look to secure their place in the 2025 AFL Grand Final. 

Presented by Dulux, Geelong's Show Your Colours competition is encouraging Cats fans to get creative and support the team, featuring the best blue and white set-ups from our loyal supporter base. 

Follow the link below to share a photo, video or message of support to be part of our message wall, while also being a chance to feature on the Cats social channels or website. 

Show Your Colours: Link Here

WHERE TO WATCH 

All matches in Week Three of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network and Fox Footy, while also being streamed live on Kayo.

Coverage of Friday night's match will start at 7.00pm AEST ahead of the opening bounce at 7.40pm. 

For those tuning into the action on the radio, K rock will be covering the all the action from 6.00pm. Listen live through 95.5FM, 88.0 at the MCG, krockfootball.live or via the AFL app.

Broadcast Details: 2025 AFL Broadcast Guide

For the third time in six years and for the 20th time in the club's history, the mighty Cats are Grand Final bound after a sensational victory over Hawthorn in Friday night's Preliminary Final.

With 99,597 packed into the MCG, two of the game's most dominant teams traded blows for much of the night in a see-sawing affair, the Cats bouncing back from a slow start to stamp their authority in a brilliant display. 

There were heroes all across the ground for Geelong, but perhaps none were better than the Cats inspirational skipper, with Patrick Dangerfield winding back the clock and collecting 31 disposals, eight clearances, three goals and 13 score involvements. 

Bailey Smith amassed a game-high 36 disposals in another dominant performance, Gryan Miers was instrumental with 27 disposals and four goal assists, while Tyson Stengle's skill shone through finishing with three goals and nine score involvements from his 15 disposals. 

Tom Atkins (25 disposals, 11 tackles) was at his brilliant best through the middle, Zach Guthrie (21 disposals, 10 intercepts) stood tall down back, while Mark Blicavs (12 disposals, 29 hit-outs) and Jeremy Cameron (16 disposals, three goals) were both heavily influential.

The opening term was far from ideal as the Cats struggled to get the game on their terms, but a late goal from Patrick Dangerfield pulled his side back within 13 points at the first break after conceding the first three goals of the game. 

Sam De Koning picked off four intercept possessions down back and Bailey Smith found plenty of the footy with nine disposals, but Geelong's issues were compounded when Tom Stewart was subbed off just before quarter time. 

Needing to gather some momentum in the second term, Shannon Neale gave the Cats a perfect start with a big contested mark over his opponent, going back and making no mistake on the set shot to cut the deficit early. 

The heavyweight contest then started to produce what the blockbuster crowd came to see, with the two sides trading blows in a fascinating period of football. 

Geelong trimmed the margin to three points after a Mark Blicavs goal, Hawthorn hit back with three of the next four majors to re-establish a handy buffer, but the Cats continued to fight with the final two goals of the term, hitting the lead by the narrowest of margins at the main break. 

Centre clearances were a big factor for the Cats in the first half (8-3), their tackle pressure inside 50 was also off the charts laying 10 tackles to the Hawks six in their forward arc.

Smith (16 disposals, four inside 50s) continued to impose himself around stoppages, Patrick Dangerfield (14 disposals, seven score involvements) willed himself into the contest, while Zach Guthrie (16 disposals, five intercepts) stood tall down back in Stewart's absence. 

It took just 30 seconds for the Cats to strike after the main break, Tyson Stengle weaving some magic and curling home his first goal of the match to continue his strong performance. 

Dangerfield snapped through his second major, Max Holmes hit the scoreboard and Jeremy Cameron kicked his second, in the blink of an eye the Cats had six unanswered goals and a 26 point lead. 

But in a colossal clash between two of the games best teams, it was never going to be one way traffic and the Hawks responded in a big way, kicking three consecutive goals of their own to cut the margin back to single figures. 

The 2025 Geelong Cats team has shown time and time again that they know how to handle adversity, and once again they stepped to the plate. A late goal to Jack Martin was followed by a brilliant pair of finishes from Jeremy Cameron and Shaun Mannagh, the Cats pushing the lead back out to 28 points heading into the final quarter.

Patrick Dangerfield's heroic performance continued to get even better into the last term, with the captain capitalising in a monumental moment to snap through his third goal of the game. 

Gryan Miers followed suit shortly after with a brilliant finish to put the first nail in the coffin, before Tyson Stengle and Bailey Smith put the cherry on top of a brilliant performance and sealed the deal late. 

Geelong will now progress to the 2025 AFL Grand Final and will face the winner of tomorrow's Preliminary Final between Collingwood and Brisbane. 

The 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final Member ballot for Geelong will be processed on Saturday 20 September, with results released on Monday 22 September. Ballot outcomes will be communicated to members via email on Monday 22 September.

2025 AFL Season - Preliminary Final

GEELONG        1.3     6.7    13.11    17.13   (115)  
HAWTHORN    3.4     6.6      9.7      13.7     (85)  

GOALS
Geelong: Stengle, Dangerfield, Cameron 3, Mannagh 2, Smith, Neale, Miers, Martin, Holmes, Blicavs 1
Hawthorn: Lewis, Gunston 3, Watson, Nash, Moore, Macdonald, Impey, Ginnivan, Chol 1

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Smith, Atkins, Holmes, Miers, Guthrie
Hawthorn: Amon, Gunston, Nash, Chol, Sicily

INJURIES
Geelong: Henry (ankle), Stewart (concussion)
Hawthorn: Ginnivan (finger/hand)

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Jhye Clark (replaced Tom Stewart in the first quarter)
Hawthorn: Changkuoth Jiath (replaced Sam Butler in the third quarter)

CROWD: 99,597 @ MCG