Australian Olympian Cathy Freeman tosses the coin before the round two AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats April 4, 2004 at IKON Park in Melbourne, Australia.

You do not need to belong to a particular generation to appreciate the history of Princes Park. 

Although the ground looks somewhat different in the present day with some missing grandstands and a new Carlton training facility, you can still sense the moments etched into the history books when you step foot through the gate. 

While there have been a number of teams that have called Princes Park home over the journey, Geelong is one team that played a significant part in the narrative of the iconic venue. 

From 1897 through to the final AFL game played at IKON Park in 2005, the Cats were a prime feature playing in 122 total games against a host of different opponents, the fourth most games played at the venue of any team in the game's history. 

They certainly were prone to a tight finish across that span, battling it out in 38 different matches that were decided by two goals or less. 

Perhaps the most iconic match came in 1989, when Geelong battled Hawthorn in the fifth highest scoring game in the competition's existence. 

The Cats piled on 25 goals in that contest and finished on a whopping total of 163 points, inspired by a brilliant nine-goal haul from Gavin Exell and a 'lazy' 28-disposal and three goal performance from Gary Ablett Senior. 

Remarkably, that score was not enough as the Hawks rammed home 26 majors of their own and pinched the victory late, Geelong still holding the record to this day of the biggest score in a loss. 

What about the battle with Carlton in Round 12 of the 1995 season?

Geelong entered the game in second spot on the ladder, the Blues nipping at their heels in third and the two teams produced an absolute classic in front of a 30,000 strong crowd. 

The heavyweights traded blows right throughout the afternoon, Geelong hanging tough late in the contest but unfortunately were on the wrong side of the ledger when the siren sounded, falling by three points in a memorable game. 

It would prove to be a Grand Final preview in the 1995 season, another match that would go Carlton's way. 

Geelong's last official AFL game at Princes Park came in Round 2 of the 2004 season, with the Cats falling to Carlton by 54 points. 

While it was a result to forget, it was also a sign of what was to come at the Cattery. 

Tom Harley was the oldest and most experienced player on the day for Geelong, with only 93 AFL games under his belt and still closing in on his 26th birthday. 

The team had a combined 934 games of experience, by comparison Geelong's 2022 Grand Final team had played 3855 games between them. 

12 players had fewer than 50 games of experience in the match for the Cats, but there were also 11 players that would go on to feature in the 2007 Premiership triumph. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Jhye Clark of the Cats in action during the 2026 AFL match simulation between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Kennedy Community Centre on February 16, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

While Geelong has returned to the venue for practice matches and more recently for the AFLW, this would be the last time the Cats played for premiership points at IKON Park. 

The Cats are set to head up the highway to take on Carlton next Wednesday night, in their 2026 AAMI Community Series match. 

It will be the final pre-season hit-out for Geelong, before all eyes turn to a blockbuster Opening Round clash with the Gold Coast Suns on the 6th of March. 

Tickets are available for Wednesday's practice match at IKON Park, follow the link below to secure your seat.