Another epic battle at GMHBA Stadium awaits tonight and this time it will be a South Australian visitor, with Geelong set to host Adelaide on Thursday night to commence Round 3. 

The two sides played out one of the most entertaining games in the 2025 season and will be looking to establish dominance early this year, with both the Cats and Crows registering a win and a loss through their opening two games. 

For Geelong, it will be a chance to harness the momentum they captured against Fremantle in Round 1, enjoying a bye week in Round 2 to rest and recover before taking on Adelaide. 

The match will also kick off an exciting two days at GMHBA Stadium, with Geelong's VFL team back in action against the Box Hill Hawks on Friday night. 

With so much to look forward to, take a final look ahead to Thursday night's blockbuster clash before Geelong and Adelaide lock horns under lights at the Cattery. 

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 3
Geelong Cats vs Adelaide
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Thursday March 26, 7.30pm AEDT

TEAM SELECTION

LAST TIME WE MET

As has been discussed in the build up to this match, Geelong and Adelaide played out one of the top games of the 2025 season in the most recent meeting between the two sides. 

Kicking off the action in Gather Round, the Cats clawed their way back from a 30-point deficit and a barnstorming fourth quarter propelled them to an iconic victory. 

Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield spearheaded the attack with four goals apiece, while Bailey Smith claimed the three Brownlow votes with a brilliant performance through the middle. 

03:16

Cats Storm Home At Gather Round | Game Film

In further proof that you can never count the Cats out, Geelong fought back from a 30-point deficit to claim an important four points against Adelaide.

LEE KUM KEE - PIVOTAL MATCH-UP

Shannon Neale v Jordan Butts

Two key pillars for their teams and two players that are set to have a big impact on Thursday night, Shannon Neale and Jordan Butts will more than likely go toe-to-toe at various stages during Geelong's clash with Adelaide. 

Neale is in scintillating form coming off a match-winning performance against Fremantle, booting five goals from seven kicks including a stretch of three consecutive goals in the third quarter, helping to spearhead Geelong's comeback victory in Round 1. 

Butts has been Adelaide's defensive anchor across the first two weeks of the season, sitting third in the AFL for intercept marks and leading the Crows for total intercept possessions, even pushing forward to kick his first career goal against the Bulldogs. 

One-on-one battles do not come much bigger than this, figuratively and literally, so keep an eye on which key position player comes out on top in this blockbuster contest. 

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Sam De Koning

Down the opposite end of the ground to the aforementioned Shannon Neale, Sam De Koning will be another key player and a strong performance from him could go a long way towards a positive result. 

With the ability to intercept aerial contests and able to impose his big frame in one-on-one situations, the key defender will have a tough challenge ahead against the likes of Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty. 

De Koning has had a reasonable start to the season, sitting second at the club for intercept possessions and tied at the top for intercept marks, often entrusted on the last line of defence for the Cats. 

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 6: Sam De Koning of the Cats handpasses the ball during the 2026 AFL Opening Round match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Geelong Cats at People First Stadium on March 6, 2026 in the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets are available for Thursday night's blockbuster clash at GMHBA Stadium, follow the link here to secure your seat through Ticketmaster. 

With nine home games remaining at GMHBA Stadium this year, now is the perfect time to check out all Geelong Cats Membership options for the 2026 season. 

Download the new Geelong Cats app and save your Member ticket to your wallet before getting to the game. 

If you're a Reserved Seat, Social Club or 1859 Member register to use DiDi Members' Express Entry to avoid the game day queues

Geelong fans can also purchase a Digital Plus Membership for the year ahead, which provides a 12-month subscription to Kayo so you can watch all the action from home. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 3 clash with Adelaide will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7, with coverage set to kick off at 7.00pm AEDT ahead of the opening bounce at 7.30pm.

The game will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo, with coverage set to commence at 7.00pm AEDT.

K rock will also be covering all the action from 6.00pm at GMHBA Stadium, tune in via 95.5FM, krockfootball.live or the AFL app.

Make sure to follow @GeelongCats social media channels for updates pre, during and post game.