With eight games remaining until Finals football, the race for September is well and truly on as the Cats return from their bye, set to take on Brisbane in yet another Thursday night blockbuster. 

The stakes could not be higher with Geelong and the Lions sitting in fourth and fifth position on the ladder respectively, entrenched in a battle for the top four as a number of teams jostle for the double chance in September. 

Earlier this year, the two teams squared off at the Gabba in Round 10 and it was the Cats who prevailed, riding a dominant five-goal performance from Shaun Mannagh to clinch a 41-point victory. 

It is also set to be a chance for the club to celebrate two young stars, with Sam De Koning and Ollie Henry both in line to play their 100th AFL game on Thursday night. 

With a short week ahead, take a look ahead to Geelong's clash with the Lions, proudly presented by Villawood Properties. 

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 17

Geelong Cats v Brisbane

GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Thursday 2 July, 7.30pm AEST

LAST TIME WE MET

Heading north for one of the toughest tests in football, Geelong took on Brisbane in Round 10 and pieced together a brilliant performance, clinching a 41-point victory at the Gabba. 

The Cats dominated the opening quarter before the Lions hit back in the second, but Geelong wrestled back control of the contest after half time and put the game away with a run of seven unanswered goals either side of the main break. 

While there were a number of players that impressed, no star shone brighter than Shaun Mannagh who collected 30 disposals and kicked five goals in an incredible outing. 

Bailey Smith (34 disposals, two goals) and Tom Stewart (28 disposals) both stood tall when the pressure was on, while Connor O'Sullivan (eight intercepts) and Lawson Humphries (eight intercepts) both excelled in defence. 

PLAYER TO WATCH

Sam De Koning

One of the two 100-game milestones coming up for the Cats this week, Sam De Koning will have the opportunity to celebrate his journey when he runs out against Brisbane on Thursday night. 

De Koning was drafted in 2019 and only played one AFL game across his first two years at the club, before emerging as one of the game's best young defenders in 2022 en route to becoming a premiership player. 

Since then, he has solidified his position as one of Geelong's most important players and has shown great versatility in recent seasons, able to play both in defence and in the ruck. 

Wherever he is deployed on Thursday night, expect De Koning to have a significant impact in what looms as an important clash for the Cats. 

ROUND 15 TAKEAWAYS

Geelong challenged the ladder-leading Dockers right up until the final siren in their Round 15 clash, but ultimately fell short in an entertaining clash at Optus Stadium. 

On paper, the outlook shows three losses in four games and the Cats slipping back into a tightly contested race for the top four, but the numbers are certainly not what they seem. 

Those three losses have come by a combined margin of 14 points and there have been four defeats this season by nine points or less, showing that the Cats can certainly take up the challenge against any team in the competition. 

With 11 players aged 25 or younger in the clash with Fremantle, it was also a great chance for the Cats to get some valuable game time into their emerging talents, which will hold the club in good stead moving forward. 

Combing through the individual performances, Lawson Humphries (24 disposals) impressed across half back, Tanner Bruhn (26 disposals) gave the Cats a spark through the middle, while Connor O'Sullivan (six intercept marks) was rock solid in defence. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Geelong fans looking to attend Thursday night's game can buy a ticket through Ticketmaster, follow the link to secure your seat now. 

There are still a number of membership options available for the 2026 season, including the 3 Game Reserved Seat. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 17 clash with Brisbane will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 7.00pm AEST, ahead of the game starting at 7.30pm. 

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

Cats fans can also tune in via K rock from 6.00pm, listen via FM 95.5 across Geelong & the Surf Coast, delay-free via the K rock app, or the AFL app.