It is a game that many Cats fans will have had circled on their calendar since the start of the year, with Geelong set to take on Brisbane in a Thursday night blockbuster at the Gabba. 

The Cats have found a strong vein of form over the past fortnight, following their brilliant finish against North Melbourne with a dominant victory over Collingwood, moving to a 6-3 record through the opening nine weeks of the season. 

But there are not many bigger challenges than the one awaiting on Thursday against the back-to-back premiers, with Brisbane also rolling along nicely at 6-3 with the winner of this game to remain in the top four at the conclusion of 10 weeks. 

Thursday's game will also commence the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with Geelong set to wear a special First Nations Guernsey designed by Meeza and Lawson Humphries. 

There is so much to look forward to with a big night ahead in Brisbane, take a final look ahead at all the key details as the Cats and Lions prepare to do battle at the Gabba. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Chris Scott, Senior Coach of the Cats and Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats look on during the national anthem during the AFL Grand Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 10
Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats
Gabba, Brisbane
Thursday May 14, 7.30pm AEST

TEAM SELECTION

LAST TIME WE MET

The Cats will be out for a slice of redemption following their last clash with Brisbane, which came in a disappointing defeat on the last Saturday in September last year. 

Both teams engaged in an enthralling contest for three quarters before the Lions kicked away in the final term, despite the best efforts of Max Holmes and Lawson Humphries. 

Geelong did get the better of the Lions in the Qualifying Final three weeks earlier, a match that they will try to draw confidence from heading into Thursday night. 

08:29

Highlights: Geelong v Brisbane

The Cats and Lions clash in the Grand Final of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

LEE KUM KEE - PIVOTAL MATCH-UP

Brad Close v Dayne Zorko

While this may not necessarily be a direct match-up on Thursday night, it will still be two players that can heavily impact the outcome of the blockbuster battle between the Cats and Lions. 

Playing the difficult small forward role, Close has returned to form in the past fortnight recording six score involvements and two goal assists against North Melbourne, following that with two goals and seven score involvements against Collingwood. 

While his impact on the scoreboard has been pivotal, it is the pressure that Close applies to opposition defenders that he has built a strong career on, something that is crucial against rebounding half-backs. 

Dayne Zorko has proven to be a thorn in Geelong's side in recent clashes, collecting 28 disposals or more in each of the last five clashes between the two sides, while also averaging nearly 10 rebound 50s per game across that span. 

The Cats will need to find a way to limit Zorko's impact and the answer might lie with the No.45, so keep an eye on the impact that these two might have as Thursday's game unfolds. 

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 20: Dayne Zorko of the Lions in action during the 2024 AFL Round 06 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba on April 20, 2024 in BRISBANE, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Jeremy Cameron

Geelong's scoring struggles at the Gabba in recent visits have been touched on during the week, so who better to break that streak than the reigning Coleman Medalist? 

Cameron has been in strong form once again to start 2026, kicking 24 goals from eight games while also roaming up the ground to have an impact, like his four goal assists against North Melbourne in Round 8. 

But even for one of the greatest forwards in the modern era, the Gabba has proven difficult to figure out with Cameron booting 24 goals from 13 games at the venue across his career. 

Jezza has featured in four games at the Gabba since joining Geelong at the end of 2020, being held goalless in 2021 and 2024, while kicking one goal in in 2025 and three in 2023. 

It will be no easy feat against a backline featuring the likes of Harris Andrews, but if the Cats want to kick a substantial and potentially game-winning score, then Cameron will need to find a way to navigate through the Lions' defence. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 09: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats kicks a goal during the 2026 AFL Round 09 match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 9, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

SIR DOUG NICHOLLS ROUND

Rounds 10 and 11 of the AFL season will be Sir Doug Nicholls Round, recognising and celebrating the impact of First Nations people on our great game. 

Geelong's clash with Brisbane will commence the Round on Thursday night, with the Cats to wear a special guernsey designed by Meeza and Lawson Humphries titled 'Saltwater Stories Volume 2.' 

There are two iterations of the guernsey, a white version which Geelong will wear on Thursday and a blue edition, which will be worn during next week's clash with Sydney. 

Click here to find out more information on the guernsey.

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets are on sale for Thursday's blockbuster clash with Brisbane, follow the link below to secure your seat through Ticketmaster. 

Head to Geelong Cats Membership page to see all available membership options for the remainder of the season. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 10 clash with Brisbane will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 7.00pm AEST, with the game set to start at 7.30pm. 

The match will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 7.00pm. 

Cats fans can also listen to all the action on K rock from 6.00pm 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.