There are not many bigger stages in the competition than a Friday night at the MCG, with Geelong setting themselves for another big clash against Carlton in Round 12. 

On the back of some strong form in recent weeks, the Cats will be looking to further entrench themselves in the top four as they search for a fifth consecutive win. 

It is also set to be their third match at the MCG this year, looking to build on a strong 54-point victory over Collingwood in their last outing at the venue, with still two more matches to come at the 'G in the remainder of the 2026 home and away season. 

Carlton struggled at the start of the year but have found form in recent weeks, knocking off the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide in the past two games to carry momentum into Friday's match. 

Another big occasion and yet another important clash for the Cats awaits on Friday night, take a look ahead to Geelong's clash with Carlton, proudly presented by Lee Kum Kee. 

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 12
Carlton v Geelong Cats
MCG, Melbourne
Friday 29 May, 7.40pm AEST

TEAM SELECTION

RECENT FORM

Geelong have hit their straps over the last month and are flying heading into Round 12, carrying a four-game win streak which includes victories over some premiership contenders. 

The Cats took down Collingwood in Round 9 and followed that with a dominant performance at the Gabba to defeat Brisbane, before returning home and taking care of business against Sydney last weekend. 

With an 8-3 record, Geelong will be looking to claim another scalp on Friday night heading into an important part of the year, with a month remaining until their mid-season bye. 

LEE KUM KEE - PIVOTAL MATCH-UP

Bailey Smith v Sam Walsh

Two of the hardest runners in the competition and a pair of incredibly talented midfielders, it is set to be an enticing battle as Bailey Smith and Sam Walsh go toe-to-toe on Friday night. 

Smith has been in scintillating form this season, averaging an incredible 32.3 disposals per game (third in the AFL) to go with 5.8 clearances, 6.6 inside 50s (second in the AFL) and 8.0 score involvements. 

His consistency has been remarkable, collecting 30 disposals or more in nine of his 11 games so far in 2026, while also leading the Cats for contested possessions. 

Walsh has been brilliant for the Blues, averaging 27.9 disposals, 5.1 inside 50s and 7.5 score involvements per game, all team-highs for Carlton to this point of the year. 

Both players will be looking to utilise their explosive speed and endurance on the wide expanses of the MCG, with this battle between two superstars set to have a big influence on Friday night's result.  

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Tom Stewart

Geelong's champion defender continues to be one of the most important players each and every week, putting together a terrific 2026 season with a number of instrumental performances that have led the Cats to some big wins. 

Last week, Stewart copped plenty of attention in a tag from the Swans but still managed to battle through, finishing the game with 17 disposals, five marks and eight intercept possessions, while keeping James Rowbottom to just 14 disposals. 

It came a week after Stewart's incredible performance in Brisbane, where he collected 28 disposals and 17 intercept possessions in a remarkable display that helped the Cats to take down the reigning premiers. 

VFL

Geelong's AFL team are not the only ones in red-hot form, with the VFL Cats sitting a game clear on top of the ladder through their opening eight matches, holding a 7-1 record with a strong percentage. 

The Cats will head to IKON Park on Saturday afternoon, set to take on Carlton from 12.05pm AEST as they search for a fifth consecutive victory. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets are available for Cats fans heading up the highway on Friday night, click here to head to Ticketek and secure your seat. 

There are also a number of membership options available, like Geelong's Melbourne Flexi Membership. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 12 clash with Carlton will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 7.30pm, with the game set to commence at 7.40pm. 

The match will also be broadcast through Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from the same time. 

Cats fans can also listen to all the action on K rock from 6.00pm AEST, tune in via FM 95.5 across Geelong & the Surf Coast, the K rock app or the AFL app.

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

Geelong's winning streak has been snapped in a thrilling Friday night contest at the MCG, with the Cats unable to recapture the magic of recent weeks as they fell to Carlton by four points. 

It was a tight contest throughout the night with the lead changing hands numerous times, both teams grappling for ascendancy in the final term but ultimately the Cats could not land the telling blow, unable to get their noses in front when it mattered most. 

Under plenty of pressure throughout the night, the defensive duo of Tom Stewart (22 disposals, six intercepts) and Connor O'Sullivan (18 disposals, five intercept marks) did everything they could to keep Geelong in the match, constantly impacting contests at crucial moments. 

Ollie Dempsey (18 disposals, two goals) consistently tested the Blues all night with his run up and down the wing, Bailey Smith (35 disposals) found plenty of the footy to continue his strong season, while Jeremy Cameron (four goals) provided a reliable target inside 50 and hit the scoreboard regularly. 

Geelong dominated the territory battle early but took a little while to fully capitalise on the scoreboard, with Ollie Dempsey kicking the Cats' first goal at the 15-minute mark of the opening term. 

But that proved to be a crucial moment as Geelong harnessed the momentum and pulled away, kicking four unanswered goals to end the quarter which was bookended by another brilliant finish from Dempsey, giving the Cats a 19-point lead at the first break. 

Shaun Mannagh was electric in the opening stanza, collecting an equal game-high 10 disposals and five score involvements, while Connor O'Sullivan and Tom Stewart patrolled the airways down back taking a number of intercept marks. 

Despite the hot start, Geelong quickly learned that the game was not going to be played entirely on their terms as Carlton mounted a significant challenge, the Cats surrendering four goals in the second quarter as the lead was trimmed to just five points at half time. 

Max Holmes lifted after quarter time, collecting nine disposals and three clearances in the second term alone, while Lawson Humphries was fighting hard to stem the flow with 15 disposals at 87% efficiency to the main break. 

Forward of the ball, Tanner Bruhn recorded an equal game-high six score involvements in the opening half, while down back O'Sullivan continued his strong start to the match with four intercept possessions and three contested marks. 

The nerves of Cats fans were not eased immediately after the main break as Carlton kicked the opening goal of the second half, Geelong relinquishing the lead for the first time since the 15-minute mark of the opening term. 

The Cats steadied with two goals in response which included another exquisite finish from Mannagh, but the centre clearance battle was proving to be pivotal and Carlton marched out of the next three centre stoppages, converting each into a goal to put Geelong firmly on the back foot. 

With time winding down in the third term, Geelong needed a spark and their two biggest stars combined, Smith displaying his extraordinary work rate to intercept the footy and then hitting a pinpoint pass to Jeremy Cameron, who made no mistake with the ensuing set-shot to drag the Cats back within one point at three quarter time. 

Under a flurry of pressure from Carlton's attack, Mark O'Connor was one Cat who stood tall to help stem the bleeding collecting seven disposals, four marks and two intercepts in the third quarter. 

The stage was set for a grandstand finish and neither team was willing to give an inch in a tense final term, both sides trading blows as Dangerfield and Cameron slotted crucial goals to keep the Cats within striking distance. 

With the clock ticking down, Geelong continually probed inside 50 and struggled to find the big sticks, until Jack Henry pounced on a loose ball and snapped truly to snatch the lead back with under three minutes remaining. 

But there was one more twist in the tale as Carlton launched a long kick inside 50, Patrick Cripps taking a contested mark and kicking the game-winning goal, with Geelong falling by four points. 

2026 AFL Season - Round 12

CARLTON     1.3   5.9   9.11  12.16   (88)  
GEELONG    4.4   6.8   9.10   12.12   (84) 

GOALS
Carlton: Hayward 3, Young, Kemp 2, Ison, Hewett, Cripps, Cerra, Byrne 1
Geelong: Cameron 4, O.Henry, J.Henry, Dempsey 2, Mannagh, Dangerfield 1

BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Weitering, Smith, Hayward, Cripps, Dean
Geelong: Smith, Cameron, Humphries, Holmes, Dempsey, Guthrie

CROWD: 61,081 @ the MCG