Geelong has enjoyed a solid final hit-out to end their pre-season, falling 15 points in a strong contest against Carlton at IKON Park. 

Despite falling behind early and missing some key players, the Cats fought right until the final siren and remained within striking distance for most of the evening, but could not quite hit the front in the second half. 

There were plenty of positives to take away including strong performances from Lawson Humphries and Tanner Bruhn, while Max Holmes and Tom Atkins were at their usual best through the middle of the ground. 

Jack Martin entered the game after quarter time and proved to be Geelong's leading avenue to goal, finishing the night with a team-high three majors and looking dangerous around forward stoppages. 

Geelong, who was chasing the match from the outset after a slow start, left it reeling following Neale's late injury but found positives from the performances of star running prospects Max Holmes (25 disposals, one goal) and Lawson Humphries (24 disposals, six marks).

New recruit James Worpel (21 disposals, six clearances) and the returning Tanner Bruhn (27 disposals, nine marks) were also solid, just about ensuring their additions to the Cats' midfield group ahead of the clash with the Suns in nine days' time.

Opening Round chance
Geelong's Tanner Bruhn is set for his first AFL appearance in 531 days when the Cats open their season against Gold Coast next Friday night, collecting 27 disposals for the night including 17 touches in the first half alone. Jhye Clark also looks set for a more prominent role in the Cats' midfield.

CARLTON    4.1    4.5    8.6    13.8   (86)
GEELONG    1.2    3.4    6.5    11.5   (71)

GOALS
Carlton: Kemp 2, E.Hollands 2, Hayward, Evans, Smith, Moir, Walsh, Chesser, O.Hollands, Byrne, Cripps
Geelong: Martin 3, Stevens, O.Henry, Holmes, Dangerfield, Knevitt, Polkinghorne, Mannagh, O'Connor

BEST
Carlton: Smith, Walsh, Cripps, O.Hollands, Williams, E.Hollands
Geelong: Holmes, Humphries, Bruhn, Atkins, Martin, Clark