A big opportunity awaits Geelong on Friday night, with the chance to take a big scalp against a Finals contender under the bright lights at the MCG.
It will be a relatively young Cats outfit that will take on Melbourne, particularly in the absence of Jeremy Cameron and Max Holmes, but there is plenty of talent right across the ground ready to make their presence felt on the big stage.
Entering Round 20, Geelong sit in ninth position on the ladder and are two games outside of the top-six, but the Demons currently occupy sixth spot meaning the Cats can make serious inroads with a victory on Friday night.
It will mark Geelong's first visit to the MCG since their Round 12 clash against Carlton, but it will be the first of a double-header at the venue with the Cats returning next Thursday to take on Collingwood.
The stakes could not be higher and Geelong are set for a blockbuster battle, take a look ahead to Friday night's clash with Melbourne, proudly presented by Lee Kum Kee.
KEY DETAILS
2026 AFL Season | Round 20
Melbourne v Geelong Cats
MCG, Melbourne
Friday 24 July, 7.40pm AEST
TEAM SELECTION
LAST TIME WE MET
It has been nearly 16 months since Geelong last faced Melbourne, but it was an entertaining contest in Round 4 of the 2025 season with the Cats prevailing by 39 points at GMHBA Stadium.
Despite periods of dominance, Geelong struggled to shake the plucky Demons outfit until the final quarter, where they kicked the final four goals of the match to seal the deal.
Patrick Dangerfield (20 disposals, three goals) clinched the three Brownlow votes, while Gryan Miers (26 disposals) and Zach Guthrie (30 disposals) were also firmly among the Cats' best players.
LEE KUM KEE - PIVOTAL MATCH-UP
Connor O'Sullivan v Jacob Van Rooyen
A battle between two emerging stars will take centre stage at the MCG, with a potential match-up between Connor O'Sullivan and Jacob Van Rooyen a chance to play out on Friday night.
O'Sullivan has been absolutely phenomenal for Geelong this year, leading the Cats for intercept possessions and intercept marks, quickly evolving into one of the competition's best key defenders.
Often entrusted on the last line of defence, O'Sullivan has been involved in the most contested defensive one-on-ones this year of any player in the competition, winning close to 80% of those contests.
Van Rooyen has spearheaded Melbourne's attack this year and is in the midst of his best season at the elite level, already kicking 37 goals in 2026 which is seven goals more than any other season with the Demons.
These two young stars could potentially spend time lined up against one another on Friday night, in a battle that could have a pivotal influence on the outcome of the match.
VFL
With four rounds remaining in the regular season, Geelong have remarkably already secured a top-two finish and will host a Qualifying Final, highlighting their incredible dominance throughout the 2026 campaign.
On an 11-game winning streak and still 10 points clear on top of the ladder, the VFL Cats can clinch the minor premiership this week with a victory, as they take on the Casey Demons on Saturday afternoon.
Last week, Geelong travelled to RSEA Park and staved off a strong challenge from St Kilda to secure a 26-point victory, led by strong performances from Jack Bowes (26 disposals), Joe Pike (15 disposals, 32 hit-outs) and Hunter Holmes (23 disposals, seven score involvements).
HOW TO GET TICKETS
Tickets for Cats fans heading up the highway to Friday night's game are available, follow the link below to secure your seat at the MCG.
WHERE TO WATCH
Geelong's Round 20 clash with Melbourne will be broadcast on Channel 7 from 7.30pm AEST, before the game commences at 7.40pm.
The match will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo, with the coverage starting from 7.30pm.
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.
