It is crunch time for Geelong as they prepare for their final interstate trip in the home and away season, set to take on the GWS Giants at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

With four defeats in their past five games, the Cats have slipped outside the top six on the ladder and will be looking for a response, with an important seven game stretch remaining in the run to September. 

The challenge this week will be a difficult one, facing a Giants team that they have not beaten since Round 8 of the 2022 season, with their last win at ENGIE Stadium coming all the way back in 2014. 

GWS are also coming into the match with plenty of momentum, after snapping Fremantle's 14-game winning streak last Saturday with a dominant display in Canberra. 

Take a look ahead at everything you need to know in preparation for Geelong's Round 18 match on Saturday, proudly presented by Villawood Properties. 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Josh Kelly of the Giants and Mark Blicavs of the Cats compete for the ball during the round 18 AFL match between GWS Giants and Geelong Cats at ENGIE Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos)

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 18

GWS Giants v Geelong Cats

ENGIE Stadium, Sydney

Saturday July 11, 4.15pm AEST

STATE OF PLAY

The Cats have been lodged in the middle of a ladder logjam for a large portion of this season, but perhaps for the first time they have fallen slightly behind the eight-ball after the defeat to Brisbane last Thursday. 

With a 9-7 record, Geelong now sit in seventh position and are a game behind Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, with those three teams occupying fourth to sixth on the ladder heading into Round 18. 

The good news for the Cats is that in their seven remaining games in the regular season, they only face one team that is currently sitting in the top eight, but this week's clash looms as a pivotal one. 

Another positive for Geelong is that they currently hold the best percentage of any team sitting third or lower on the ladder, which could potentially come in handy at the conclusion of the home and away rounds. 

Current 2026 Ladder

Position Team Record Points Percentage
5 Adelaide 10-6 40 111.4
6 Melbourne 10-6 40 106.3
7 Geelong 9-7 36 117.1
8 Western Bulldogs 9-7 36 90.8

PLAYER TO WATCH

Shaun Mannagh

In Geelong's last three clashes with GWS, they have won the inside 50 battle on every occasion with a +34 differential, but have struggled to convert on the scoreboard on the way to a trio of defeats. 

For that reason, the Cats will need to find better delivery in their attacking half this week and when it boils down to it, no player is more important in that area than Shaun Mannagh. 

Mannagh's 2026 campaign looks solid on paper, averaging close to 16 disposals and 1.5 goals per game, but there have been a number of ebbs and flows within the season as there are for every player in the competition. 

He was reasonably well held against Brisbane with 13 disposals and no scoreboard impact, so expect the brilliant Cat to respond this week in Sydney. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Shaun Mannagh of the Cats warms up ahead of the round 17 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at GMHBA Stadium, on July 02, 2026, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

VFL CATS

The future looks bright at Geelong with the VFL Cats still two and a half games clear on top of the ladder, following another thumping victory on the weekend. 

Geelong travelled up the highway to take on Frankston, staving off an early challenge to record a 52-point victory, highlighted by six goals to one in the final term alone. 

There were a number of standout players including Mitch Knevitt (30 disposals, three goals), Jhye Clark (30 disposals) and George Stevens (33 disposals, 13 clearances), helping the Cats to secure their ninth consecutive victory. 

With five games remaining in the home and away season, Geelong now only need three more wins to officially secure top spot on the ladder, while two victories will likely be good enough to lock in a top four position. 

The next match will see the Cats return to GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon, set to take on Richmond who currently sit in 21st position on the ladder. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets are available for Geelong fans heading to Saturday's game against the GWS Giants, follow the link here to secure your seat through Ticketmaster. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 18 clash with the GWS Giants will be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo, with the coverage starting from 4.00pm AEST ahead of the opening bounce at 4.15pm. 

Cats fans can also tune in via K rock from 3.00pm, listen via FM 95.5 across Geelong & the Surf Coast, delay-free via the K rock app, or the AFL app.