The most exciting month on the footballing calendar has arrived and the Cats are preparing to embark on another Finals campaign, starting with a blockbuster clash against Brisbane on Friday night.
For Geelong it is a 17th Finals appearance in the last 19 years and a 15th top four finish in that span, securing second spot on the ladder and earning the right to host a Qualifying Final at the MCG.
A budding rivalry will also be reignited this weekend as the Cats take on Brisbane, the fourth time the two sides have met in a Final over the last six seasons, with Geelong looking to avenge the result from last year's Preliminary Final.
With a spot in the penultimate week of the season awaiting the winner, take a look ahead to Friday night's blockbuster clash, proudly presented by Villawood Properties.
KEY DETAILS
2025 AFL Season - Qualifying Final
Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions
MCG, Melbourne
Friday September 5th, 7.40pm (AEST)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Geelong: Bailey Smith
His debut season with the Cats has been a raging success so far and many are excited to see what Bailey Smith can produce in September.
Averaging 31.6 disposals and 5.9 clearances per game, Smith shared the honours in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award while also receiving his All Australian blazer last week, capping off a dominant home and away season.
With his elite running capacity and ability to find space, the star on-baller excels at the MCG averaging 28.6 disposals and six inside 50's per game across 14 career appearances at the venue, setting the stage for a big Cats Finals debut against the Lions on Friday.
Brisbane: Dayne Zorko
He has been a thorn in the Cats side in recent clashes and a proven performer in big games, making Dayne Zorko one to watch on Friday night.
In the two clashes between the two teams in 2025, the Lions veteran averaged 30.5 disposals and 9.5 rebound-50s per game, utilised as Brisbane's main distributor off half back with his elite skills by foot and decision-making.
Zorko was also instrumental in last year's Preliminary Final, amassing 32 disposals and 10 rebound-50s while doing plenty of damage in the second half comeback, making him a player the Cats will need to put some time into on Friday night.
RECENT HISTORY - Geelong v Brisbane
It has been an underrated rivalry full of blockbuster games and close finishes, but recent history has swung in favour of Brisbane with the Lions getting the better of the Cats in the last three clashes.
There have been five contests in the last nine between the two sides decided by 11-points or less, but Geelong has only beaten Brisbane once in the past three seasons and will be looking to avenge the defeat in last year's Preliminary Final.
Since 2020 Geelong and Brisbane have squared off in three Finals clashes; the Cats winning in 2020 and 2022 before the Lions triumphed in 2024.
| SEASON | HOME | AWAY | GROUND |
| 2025 - Round 15 | Geelong 6.15 (51) | Brisbane 14.8 (92) | GMHBA Stadium |
| 2025 - Round 3 | Brisbane 10.10 (70) | Geelong 9.7 (61) | Gabba |
| 2024 - Preliminary Final | Geelong 12.13 (85) | Brisbane 14.11 (95) | MCG |
| 2024 - Round 6 | Brisbane 4.13 (37) | Geelong 9.9 (63) | Gabba |
| 2023 - Round 19 | Brisbane 9.10 (64) | Geelong 7.11 (53) | Gabba |
| 2022 - Preliminary Final | Geelong 18.12 (120) | Brisbane 7.7 (49) | MCG |
VENUE HISTORY - MCG
Geelong's form at the MCG has been rock solid in 2025, winning four out of five games including a pair of blockbusters against Hawthorn and Collingwood earlier in the year.
Their scoring power has been a sight to behold, averaging 27 scoring shots per game and reaching 90 points or more in each of their last three matches at the venue.
Across the club's history, Geelong have played 17 Qualifying Final's at the MCG and have won 10 of them.
| SEASON | HOME | AWAY |
| 2025 - Round 24 | Richmond 9.10 (64) | Geelong 14.19 (103) |
| 2025 - Round 14 | Essendon 8.8 (56) | Geelong 23.13 (151) |
| 2025 - Round 8 | Collingwood 12.15 (87) | Geelong 13.12 (90) |
| 2025 - Round 7 | Carlton 14.10 (94) | Geelong 12.4 (76) |
| 2025 - Round 6 | Geelong 12.14 (86) | Hawthorn 11.13 (79) |
AFLW | Round 4
Essendon v Geelong Cats
Sunday September 7th
Bounce: 3:05pm AEST
Windy Hill, Melbourne
TICKETS
Tickets for Friday night's Qualifying Final are still available through Ticketek, follow the link below to secure your seat to support the Cats in September.
Transaction Limit: 10
Ticket link to purchase: Ticketek
Accessible Bookings: Available online for Ticketek matches. Members can select tickets best suited to their needs online during the member pre-sale (subject to availability).
WHERE TO WATCH
All matches in Week One of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network and Fox Footy, while also being streamed live on Kayo.
All coverages will start from 7.00pm AEST ahead of the opening bounce at 7.40pm.
For those tuning into the action on the radio, K rock will be covering the all the action from 6.00pm. Listen live through 95.5FM, 88.0 at the MCG, krockfootball.live or via the AFL app.
Broadcast Details: 2025 AFL Broadcast Guide
