Entering the final round of the AFLW season, the Cats are on the cusp of their second straight finals appearance with a clash against the old rival, Hawthorn the only road block left.

Victory against Hawthorn will secure the Cats a home elimination final at GMHBA Stadium, with a handful of potential opponents awaiting depending on results from other games in the final week.

A loss this weekend opens up a number of different scenarios, with the potential for Geelong to finish anywhere from seventh to tenth on the ladder.

We take a look at the possible matchups that await the Cats, depending on the result in their clash with the Hawks on Saturday.

01:23

Claudia Gunjaca 25 Games

Claudia Gunjaca has risen from debuting as a forward to becoming one of the leagues best intercept defenders in the span of 25 games!

If Geelong WIN

Put simply if Geelong win this weekend, they will host an elimination final at GMHBA Stadium in week one of the finals. 

The Cats can’t finish lower than sixth on the ladder with a win this weekend, but are also out of contention for a top four finish meaning the highest they can reach is fifth place. 

The opponent Geelong will face mostly depends on two other games in the final round; Gold Coast facing Essendon on Friday night and Brisbane hosting Melbourne on Saturday. 

Geelong can climb to fifth spot on the ladder if Brisbane lose to Melbourne, but will need to close a relatively large percentage gap in order to do so. 

The most likely scenario is that Geelong will finish in sixth place with the potential to play either Essendon, Gold Coast, Sydney, St Kilda or Collingwood depending on other results. 

No matter the opponent and other games this weekend, Geelong will secure a week one final at home with a win over Hawthorn on Saturday. 

03:29

Rainbow Road | Cats and Hawks Come Together For Pride

Geelong and Hawthorn have joined forces to prepare for our Round 10 Pride Game!

If Geelong LOSE 

A loss this week opens up four potential scenarios where the Cats can either travel to Brisbane, Gold Coast or Essendon for an elimination final or they will miss the top eight and not play finals in 2023. 

This is where the scenario becomes complicated, if Geelong drop this weekend’s game they have the potential to finish anywhere from seventh through to tenth on the ladder.

The Cats are currently equal on the ladder with Sydney, St Kilda and Collingwood heading into the final round with only percentage separating the four teams.

If Geelong fall to Hawthorn and at least two of the three teams mentioned above win their final game, the Cats will fall outside the top eight and be eliminated from the 2023 season.

If only one of Sydney, St Kilda or Collingwood win their final match then the Cats will hang on to eighth place and travel for an elimination final in the first week.

35:33

Yeah The Girls! A Geelong Cats Podcast - Ep 10

The team are joined by speedy winger and Deakin Alumni Zali Friswell, as they break down a big win over the Tigers and look forward to Pride Round, Proudly Supported by Deakin!

If the Lions lose their clash with Melbourne this week, then finishing eighth will see Geelong travel to Brisbane for their first final.

However if the Lions beat Melbourne, the Cats will face the loser of the Gold Coast and Essendon match this Friday in the first week of finals.

The other potential scenario would be if all three of Sydney, St Kilda and Collingwood lose this weekend, then the Cats would remain in seventh place heading into the post season.

This potential outcome would see the Cats play the loser of the Gold Coast and Essendon clash this weekend, with no dependency on other games from the final round.