Geelong are set to return home to kick off the Round 17 action and the stage is set for a monumental clash, with the Cats preparing to take on Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night. 

It looms as a pivotal match in the context of the season, with the Cats and Lions both jostling for position in the top four and only eight rounds remaining in the home and away season. 

For the Cats, it shapes as a season-defining clash with only two games left against opponents currently sitting in the top eight, and only one interstate trip in Round 18 against the GWS Giants. 

A win could be crucial but it could also be a confidence booster, after Brisbane visited GMHBA Stadium last year and clinched a 41-point victory, with Thursday night a chance for the Cats to respond. 

With so much at stake and two of the best teams in the modern era set to go head-to-head, take a final look ahead to Thursday's big clash between Geelong and Brisbane, proudly presented by Lee Kum Kee. 

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 17
Geelong Cats v Brisbane
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Thursday 2 July, 7.30pm AEST

TEAM SELECTION

LEE KUM KEE - PIVOTAL MATCH-UP

Jeremy Cameron v Darcy Gardiner

Big games call for big players to stand up in the crucial moments, and there is no player more pivotal to Geelong's chances in crunch matches than Jeremy Cameron. 

While there has been plenty of chatter about the superstar forward, Cameron sits second in the race for the Coleman Medal with 39 goals for the year, kicking three goals or more on nine different occasions. 

One of those three-goal hauls came in Round 10 against Brisbane, where he provided solid scoreboard impact at the Gabba to help lead the Cats to a 41-point victory. 

For the majority of the game earlier in the season, Cameron was matched up against Lions defender Darcy Gardiner, who is a more traditional key defender with the ability to lock down some of the game's best forwards. 

With a week's rest under his belt, look for the reigning Coleman Medalist to fire on Thursday night in a matchup that could be instrumental in the result. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats runs with the ball under pressure from Darcy Gardiner of the Lions during the AFL Qualifying Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

VFL

Geelong's VFL team enjoyed a week off in Round 15 to recharge for the run home, which will commence with a clash against Frankston at Kinetic Stadium on Friday night. 

With an 11-1 record, the Cats remain 10 points clear on top of the ladder, comfortably holding the best points for and points against average of any team in the competition. 

There are six games remaining in the home and away season, with Geelong needing four more wins to officially secure top spot on the ladder, while three more wins will confirm a place in the top four. 

The Cats face Frankston this week who are currently sitting in eighth place, but as it stands that will be Geelong's final game against an opponent in the top 10 on the ladder. 

Geelong and Frankston will square off from 7.35pm AEST on Friday night at Kinetic Stadium. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets are available for Geelong's Thursday night blockbuster against Brisbane, follow the link below to secure your seat through Ticketmaster. 

Get access to this game with a Flexi Membership! For just $44 you can get two General Admission tickets. By purchasing a membership you'll also go in the draw to win a Ford Everest!

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.