The penultimate round of the home and away season has arrived and there is plenty to play for, with Geelong heading to the SCG for a Sunday afternoon clash with the Sydney Swans.
The Cats can secure their spot in Finals with a win this weekend, but can also move a step closer to solidifying a place in the top two after moving into second position at the end of Round 22.
Currently on a four game win streak, Geelong will face a Sydney team that has found some form in the back half of the season, taking down Brisbane at the Gabba last weekend.
With plenty at stake, take a first look ahead to the Cats clash with the Swans, proudly presented by Villawood Properties.
KEY DETAILS
2025 AFL Season - Round 23
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats
SCG, Sydney
Sunday August 17th, 3.15pm (AEST)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Geelong: Mark Blicavs
The midfield battle will be crucial on Sunday and with the news that Brodie Grundy has entered concussion protocol, Mark Blicavs will become even more important for Geelong.
The veteran Cat has played a number of different roles throughout the season, pushing forward and kicking two goals against the Bombers last week, but it is his stints in the ruck where he does the most damage.
Blicavs won 17 hit-outs on Friday night and is averaging 17 hit-outs per game across the last five weeks, brilliantly supporting Rhys Stanley and able to have an impact with his versatility and athleticism, while also being able to push to both ends of the ground when needed.
Sydney: Isaac Heeney
A big part of Sydney's resurgence in the back half of the season has been the impressive form of Isaac Heeney, the star midfielder putting together a number of dominant performances in recent weeks.
In the Swans most recent outing, Heeney accumulated 23 disposals and kicked five goals to help his side take down Brisbane at home, taking his tally to 35 goals for the 2025 season which is the most of any Sydney player.
Heeney has been able to hit the scoreboard in 16 of his 21 games this year, while also collecting 20 or more disposals on 19 different occasions, cementing his status as Sydney's most dangerous player.
RECENT HISTORY - Geelong v Sydney
It has been a bit of a mixed bag in recent history between the Cats and Swans, with both teams holding the ascendancy at different times.
Sydney won the most recent clash, there was a draw in the meeting before that, and Geelong won the two prior matchups by a total of 174 points which includes the 2022 Grand Final.
Over the past 10 games between the two sides, Geelong has won six times and only lost three (and a draw), but the Cats last win against Sydney at the SCG came in 2019.
| SEASON | HOME | AWAY | GROUND |
| 2024 - Round 13 | Sydney 16.16 (112) | Geelong 12.10 (82) | SCG |
| 2023 - Round 16 | Sydney 6.18 (54) | Geelong 7.12 (54) | SCG |
| 2023 - Round 6 | Geelong 20.10 (130) | Sydney 5.7 (37) | GMHBA Stadium |
| 2022 - Grand Final | Geelong 20.13 (133) | Sydney 8.4 (52) | MCG |
VENUE HISTORY - SCG
Geelong holds a relatively strong record at the SCG across AFL history winning 21 times from 39 matches, but they have not had quite as much success in recent times.
The Cats last win at the SCG came in 2020 and that was against Brisbane during the Covid-affected season, with their last win against the Swans at the venue coming in Round 19, 2019 which was Tom Hawkins' 250th AFL game.
Across the last four matches against Sydney at the venue, Geelong has been defeated by 30 points on two occasions, suffered a two point loss and had a draw.
| SEASON | HOME | AWAY |
| 2024 - Round 13 | Sydney 16.16 (112) | Geelong 12.10 (82) |
| 2023 - Round 16 | Sydney 6.18 (54) | Geelong 7.12 (54) |
| 2022 - Round 2 | Sydney 17.5 (107) | Geelong 10.17 (77) |
| 2021 - Round 7 | Sydney 14.6 (90) | Geelong 12.16 (88) |
VFL | Round 21
Sydney v Geelong
Sunday 17th August
Bounce: 11:35am AEST
Tramway Oval, Sydney
AFLW | Round 1
Geelong Cats v Kangaroos
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Saturday 16 August 2025
First Bounce: 3:35pm AEST
TICKETS
Tickets are available for Cats fans heading north this weekend, secure your seat through Ticketek today.
If you have any questions about AFL ticketing or membership please contact Geelong Cats Membership Services here.
WHERE TO WATCH
Geelong's Round 23 clash with Sydney will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 3.00pm AEST, ahead of the opening bounce at 3.15pm.
The match will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 3.00pm.
K rock will be covering the match and all the pre-game build up from 2.00pm, tune into 95.5FM, krockfootball.live or the AFL app to follow along.
Make sure to follow @GeelongCats social media channels for updates pre, during and post game.
Broadcast Details: 2025 AFL Broadcast Guide
