The pre-season is coming to a close and Wednesday will present one final tune-up for the Cats, as they prepare to head up the highway to take on Carlton at IKON Park in their AAMI Community Series match. 

Geelong had a strong hit-out against Hawthorn last Monday in a match simulation, but this practice match will present a new opportunity as the start of the season draws closer. 

Prior to the AFL teams squaring off, Geelong's VFL program will also take on Carlton in a practice match at IKON Park, meaning the majority of the Cats AFL playing list will be in action throughout the day. 

Take a look below at all the details you need to know ahead of Wednesday's AAMI Community Series match. 

KEY DETAILS 

AAMI Community Series Match
Carlton vs Geelong Cats
IKON Park, Melbourne
Wednesday 25 February, 7.10pm AEDT

TEAM SELECTION

LAST TIME WE MET

Round 7, 2025 - Carlton 14.10 (94) def Geelong 12.4 (76)

Geelong's last clash with Carlton came early in the 2025 home and away season, in the midst of a three-game stretch at the MCG for the Cats, where they fell short in an entertaining contest. 

Despite a slow start, Geelong fought their way back into the contest and closed within two goals during the last quarter, but they could not get their noses in front despite a four-goal haul from Jeremy Cameron. 

Shaun Mannagh (26 disposals, 11 tackles) and Bailey Smith (29 disposals, one goal) were amongst the best players on the ground, as was Connor O'Sullivan (12 intercept possessions) who gave a brilliant preview of what was to come in his first full season at the top level. 

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Jhye Clark

There has been plenty of excitement surrounding Jhye Clark over the pre-season, as the young gun prepares to enter his fourth season with the Cats. 

Plenty of that excitement comes off the back of Clark's outstanding campaign in last year's Finals Series, performing strongly after entering as the substitute in Geelong's Preliminary Final victory over Hawthorn. 

He also took his game to greater heights during the year at VFL level, collecting 22 disposals or more in all 10 of his appearances and looking composed with ball in hand, while still bringing his trademark toughness around stoppages. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Club members, AFL members and kids aged 14 and under will have FREE general admission access to the 2026 AAMI Community Series. 

Competing Club and AFL members can scan their 2026 membership on match day at the venue (excluding Mars Stadium) for free general admission access, subject to capacity. Alternatively, competing club and AFL members can guarantee entry by registering for a general admission ticket or upgrading to a reserved seat via the relevant ticket agent using their 2026 membership barcode.

General admission for non-members is $20 for adults, while reserved seating will be $30 for adults and $10 for kids at venues with applicable seating options.

While general admission access for kids 14 and under is free, they must redeem a ticket in advance of the match. Any child without a pre-redeemed ticket will not be permitted access to the match.

Click the link here to view all options through Ticketmaster. 

HOW TO FOLLOW 

All matches in the 2026 AAMI Community Series will be broadcast live through Foxtel, while also being streamed on Kayo Sports. 

Secure a Digital Plus Membership to watch all the action, which provides a 12-month subscription to Kayo Sports and other member benefits. 

Alternatively, Geelong will be providing a Live Blog on the club's official website, which will provide live play-by-play updates throughout the evening.

Geelong has enjoyed a solid final hit-out to end their pre-season, falling 15 points in a strong contest against Carlton at IKON Park. 

Despite falling behind early and missing some key players, the Cats fought right until the final siren and remained within striking distance for most of the evening, but could not quite hit the front in the second half. 

There were plenty of positives to take away including strong performances from Lawson Humphries and Tanner Bruhn, while Max Holmes and Tom Atkins were at their usual best through the middle of the ground. 

Jack Martin entered the game after quarter time and proved to be Geelong's leading avenue to goal, finishing the night with a team-high three majors and looking dangerous around forward stoppages. 

Geelong, who was chasing the match from the outset after a slow start, left it reeling following Neale's late injury but found positives from the performances of star running prospects Max Holmes (25 disposals, one goal) and Lawson Humphries (24 disposals, six marks).

New recruit James Worpel (21 disposals, six clearances) and the returning Tanner Bruhn (27 disposals, nine marks) were also solid, just about ensuring their additions to the Cats' midfield group ahead of the clash with the Suns in nine days' time.

Opening Round chance
Geelong's Tanner Bruhn is set for his first AFL appearance in 531 days when the Cats open their season against Gold Coast next Friday night, collecting 27 disposals for the night including 17 touches in the first half alone. Jhye Clark also looks set for a more prominent role in the Cats' midfield.

CARLTON    4.1    4.5    8.6    13.8   (86)
GEELONG    1.2    3.4    6.5    11.5   (71)

GOALS
Carlton: Kemp 2, E.Hollands 2, Hayward, Evans, Smith, Moir, Walsh, Chesser, O.Hollands, Byrne, Cripps
Geelong: Martin 3, Stevens, O.Henry, Holmes, Dangerfield, Knevitt, Polkinghorne, Mannagh, O'Connor

BEST
Carlton: Smith, Walsh, Cripps, O.Hollands, Williams, E.Hollands
Geelong: Holmes, Humphries, Bruhn, Atkins, Martin, Clark