Ball movement continues to be a hot topic around the AFL and if the last two weeks are anything to go by, Geelong has devised a brilliant style in 2026 that is conducive to any ground or opponent. 

Thursday night proved to be no different as the Cats continually linked up off half back and torched the Lions through the middle of the ground, eventually breaking the game open on the scoreboard either side of half time with a run of seven unanswered goals. 

Their ball movement was elite and the stats back that up, Geelong finishing with 7,090 total metres gained at the Gabba which was 694 more metres than the Lions, beating them in an area that has been a true strength in recent years.

To put into context just how impressive that is, the Cats have only amassed more than 7,000 metres gained on one other occasion since the start of the 2014 season, which occurred in Round 24 of the 2024 season against West Coast. 

Geelong head coach Chris Scott provided some insight into how his side were able to nullify Brisbane's strengths, then utilising that to help set up counterattacking football heading into the forward half. 

"They have got a few modes of attack," Scott said. 

"They are quite happy to control the ball, they have got some elite ball-users as well so that can be hard to shutdown at times. They can penetrate and play with speed as well, they have got so much talent in their front half. If they get a half decent look, they are going to be dangerous.

"The defensive mechanism to stifle that is complicated. You can put all your eggs in one basket and just get opened up the other way, but if you do sit back too much against them, you just never get the ball back.

"Without going into too much detail, we asked some more questions of them because if you let them have the game their way, you might not lose by that much but you certainly won't win."

Not only did the Cats gain plenty of meterage on Thursday night, but they were also ultra-effective in the way they did it which led to a big impact on the scoreboard. 

Geelong finished with a total of 10.7 (67) from scoring chains that originated in their defensive half, 22 more points than their next best total in the 2026 season and 33 more points than Brisbane managed from that source on Thursday night. 

Another area that Chris Scott would be pleased with was how damaging the Cats were around stoppages. 

They ultimately lost the clearance battle (-10), but Geelong scored 9.5 (59) from stoppages and scored 31 more points than Brisbane from that source, the Lions' worst differential this year. 

One key driver for the Cats was Tom Atkins (26 disposals, four clearances), who said that it was great to see so many different players get involved in a brilliant team victory. 

"I think we had a pretty even contribution across the board," Atkins said. 

"Obviously there are a few people going through, Oisin again doing a great job on Neale. I thought Mitch Edwards coming back in was really influential as well.

"It is pleasing, it is great to know that we have a lot of people who can contribute."

Geelong moved into the top four with their victory on Thursday night, sitting in third spot with the remainder of the Round to play out. 

It sets up another blockbuster clash next Saturday as the Cats return home to take on the ladder-leading Sydney Swans, a battle that Atkins said he and the club will be looking forward to at GMHBA Stadium. 

"Definitely, that will be another really tough challenge," Atkins said. 

"I have been enjoying watching them play footy this year, so we are looking forward to it.

"We will rest up for the weekend and can't wait to get back home."