The first of three trips to the City of Churches in the next nine weeks awaits Geelong, as they head to Adelaide this weekend for the AFL's Gather Round and an enticing Sunday afternoon clash with the West Coast Eagles. 

For the Cats, it will be a chance to bounce back from a last-minute defeat to Hawthorn on Easter Monday, while also set to be their first game against a non-Finals team from 2025. 

West Coast have shown signs of growth this year despite a heavy loss last week to Sydney, but they will certainly be no pushover and Geelong will need to bring their A-game to walk away with the four points. 

It will also be the first time that the Geelong Football Club has ever competed for premiership points at Norwood Oval, a suburban ground used for SANFL footy and described by the AFL as the "narrowest ground in use in the SANFL." 

Prior to Sunday's match, take a look ahead at everything you need to know as Geelong takes on West Coast in Gather Round, proudly presented by Lee Kum Kee. 

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 5
Geelong Cats v West Coast
Norwood Oval, Adelaide
Sunday April 12, 12.30pm AEST

TEAM SELECTION

LAST TIME WE MET

It took Geelong till late in the fourth term to shake a plucky West Coast outfit, but a late burst from Jeremy Cameron guided them to a 43-point victory in Round 12 last year. 

Only one goal separated the sides early in the last quarter before the Cats piled on seven of the last eight goals, the final four majors all coming off Cameron's boot in a 12-minute flurry. 

Bailey Smith (38 disposals) was electric through the midfield, Gryan Miers (26 disposals, two goals) was instrumental and Max Holmes (27 disposals, seven clearances) was brilliant as Geelong staved off a strong challenge at Optus Stadium. 

08:12

Highlights: West Coast v Geelong

The Eagles and Cats clash in round 12 of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

LEE KUM KEE - PIVOTAL MATCH-UP

Max Holmes v Tim Kelly

The narrow dimensions at Norwood Oval mean that the game will more than likely be played through the middle of the ground, and the importance of being able to run and carry the football becomes imperative on Sunday afternoon. 

Nobody is more influential in that space for Geelong than Max Holmes, who finished second in the AFL for total metres gained last year and is able to break the lines with his speed and penetrating kick. 

GMHBA Stadium is another narrow ground similar to Norwood Oval, and it also happens to be a venue that Holmes excels at with an average of 32 disposals and eight inside 50s across his last six appearances at home. 

On the other side is the familiar figure of Tim Kelly, who is averaging 22.3 disposals and five clearances per game this year and is a key driver out of the midfield for the Eagles. The former Cat also leads his side for total clearances, inside 50s and goal assists this year despite missing their opening game. 

Two players with diverse skill sets that are pivotal to their team's structure, it sets up an enticing match-up this weekend in the middle of the ground at Norwood. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 24: Tim Kelly of the Eagles is tackled by Max Holmes of the Cats during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at GMHBA Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Jake Kolodjashnij

Any team would jump at the chance to add a premiership player with nearly 200 games of experience into their line-up, but after over 18 months that is exactly what Geelong will do in Gather Round as Jake Kolodjashnij makes his AFL return. 

The key defender has not featured at the elite level since the Cats' 2024 Preliminary Final against Brisbane, suffering an injury-interrupted 2025 season and biding his time in the VFL as he built match fitness and form to start the new campaign. 

After a pair of strong performances to start 2026, Kolodjashnij put himself firmly in the selection frame and earned a recall for Geelong's clash with West Coast, set to be the 199th appearance in his AFL career. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Click here to view all ticketing information ahead of the 2026 AFL Gather Round in South Australia. 

Public Gates will be open from 10.30am ACST at Norwood Oval. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Gather Round clash will be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo, which will be covering all the action from 12.30pm AEST at Norwood Oval. 

Cats fans can also listen to all the action on K rock from 11.00am AEST, tune in via FM 95.5 across Geelong & the Surf Coast, the K rock app or the AFL app.

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