Geelong has named its team to play Essendon in a practice match at GMHBA Stadium on Friday evening.

With Geelong's season opener against St Kilda just 16 days away, Friday's AAMI Community Series clash with the Bombers will give Cats fans one final chance to see their side in action ahead of the Round 1 clash.

2024 Membership - Reserve your seat in the Selwood Stand

Ollie Henry will miss tomorrow's hit-out as a precaution after rolling his ankle. 

The clash will take place at GMHBA Stadium with gates open from 4.10pm ahead of the first bounce at 5.10pm.

Latest Videos

  • 03:42
    Interview
    Interview

    Joe Pike Interview | VFL Grand Final

    Geelong Ruck Joe Pike spoke to Cats Media as the Cats prepare to face Box Hill in the VFL Grand Final. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    VFL
  • 14:42
    Interview
    Interview

    George Stevens J.J Liston Trophy Winning Speech

    Watch the moment George Stevens is awarded the J.J. Liston Trophy alongside Frankton's Trent Mynott at last nights VFL & VFLW Awards Night.

    VFL
    Awards
  • 00:56
    Highlights
    Highlights

    George Stevens Highlights | J.J. Liston Trophy

    George Stevens won the J.J. Liston Trophy in a tie with Frankston's Trent Mynott, watch some of his best work here.

    VFL
    Awards
  • 05:48
    Highlights
    Highlights

    All The Goals | Geelong VFL vs Port Melbourne Prelim Final

    Watch all the goals from Geelong's win over Port Melbourne in the Prelim final, sending the Cats into next week's Smithy's VFL Grand Final.

    VFL
  • 01:51
    Interview
    Interview

    VFL Cats Into The Grand Final! | Dan Capiron Interview

    Dan Capiron spoke to Cats Media after winning their way through to the VFL Grand Final. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    VFL
  • 06:02
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Geelong Cats vs. Port Melbourne - Match Highlights

    VFL Premiership Match Highlights 2026

    VFL
  • 04:41
    Interview
    Interview

    First Win Over The Crows! | AFLW Roaming Round 5

    Hear from Julia Crockett-Grills, Becky Webster and Annie Lee after Geelong's impressive win over the Crows. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 04:23
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Mick Stinear Post Match Press Conference | Round 5 vs Adelaide Crows

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round five’s match against Adelaide

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 06:06
    Highlights
    Highlights

    AFLW Highlights: Adelaide v Geelong

    The Crows and Cats clash in round five of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 00:42
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Scheer delight as Chloe doubles up in style

    Chloe Scheer catches fire with two quick majors to give Geelong a timely boost in the second term

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 09:46
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Chris Scott Post Match Press Conference

    Watch Geelong’s press conference after their semi final match against Fremantle

    AFL
  • 02:21
    Interview
    Interview

    Patrick Dangerfield Interview | Semi-Final Post Match

    Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield spoke to Cats TV after Geelong's Semi-Final loss against the Dockers. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

    AFL
  • 08:20

    Highlights: Fremantle v Geelong

    The Dockers and Cats clash in the first semi final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

    AFL
  • 00:47
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Still got it: Pumped-up Jezza bends pocket pearler

    Jeremy Cameron gets forward and snaps a crafty curler from the angle as Geelong continues to respond

    AFL
  • 00:39
    Highlights
    Highlights

    'He knows how to respond': Danger strikes again to put Cats on back

    Patrick Dangerfield launches a magnificent finish from 50 to get Geelong on the board in the semi final

    AFL
  • 03:23
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Bailey Smith | 150 Games Highlights

    Bailey Smith will notch up his 150th AFL game on Friday night, watch some of the best moments of his impressive career to date.

    AFL
  • 11:47
    Highlights
    Highlights

    Patrick Dangerfield | AFL 360

    Patrick Dangerfield joined Gerard and Gary on AFL 360's Players Night.

    AFL
  • 32:44
    Podcast
    Podcast

    Yeah The Girl! Episode 4 | A New Ruck Enters The Yeah The Girls Goat Conversation

    Join Becky, G and Gunj for Episode 4 of the Yeah The Girls! Podcast! On this ep we touch on the girls third win on the trot, heading to Adelaide, Chantal Mason's exceptional performance, we catch up with new Cat Jasmin Stewart, a refine our NFL knowledge.

    AFLW
    aflw
  • 05:39
    Feature
    Feature

    Best Cats vs Dockers Moments!

    Ahead of our massive clash against the Dockers in Perth, watch some of our best moments in recent history.

    AFL
  • 09:50
    Press Conference
    Press Conference

    Mick Stinear Press Conference | AFLW Round 4

    Mick Stinear spoke to the media ahead of Geelong's clash with Adelaide in Round 4. Proudly Presented by Ingenia Holiday Parks.

    AFLW
    aflw

Match information

Geelong v Essendon
Friday 1 March 
Gates Open: 4:10pm
First Bounce: 5:10pm
GMHBA Stadium 

Access to community series will be via Gate 13. All seating is general admission throughout Level 1 of the Brownlow Stand.

Club members can scan their mobile membership for entry to the game, while General Admission Tickets are $20 for adults. General Admission entry is free for children aged 14 and under, but a ticket must be redeemed in advance of the match.

Download your ticket now via the Cats App for Members or Ticketmaster for non-members.

For those unable to make the Practice Match, tune in to Foxtel or Kayo for the action live from 5pm AEDT.

AAMI Community Series Team Selection

Backs Mark O'Connor Sam De Koning Jake Kolodjashnij
Half Backs Jack Henry Tom Stewart Jed Bews
Centreline Mark Blicavs Max Holmes Mitch Duncan
Half Forwards Tyson Stengle Brad Close Jeremy Cameron
Forwards Tom Hawkins Gryan Miers Shannon Neale
Followers Rhys Stanley Patrick Dangerfield Tom Atkins
Interchange Zach Guthrie Tanner Bruhn Jhye Clark
  Oisin Mullin Zach Tuohy Oliver Dempsey
  Shaun Mannagh Jack Bowes  
 Emergencies Toby Conway Mitch Knevitt Connor O'Sullivan
  Brandan Parfitt   Â