A five-game winning streak and a brilliant victory over North Melbourne has put the Cats in a strong position, as their regular season draws to a close on Saturday night. 

Geelong are set to face Richmond at GMHBA Stadium in what will be another exciting double-header, with the Cats' AFLW to commence the action from 5.00pm AEST before the AFL clash at 7.45pm. 

With their comeback win over the Kangaroos, the Cats ascended into sixth spot on the ladder and barring an unlikely set of results in Round 24, are now in the box-seat to secure a home Elimination Final and to avoid the Wildcard Weekend. 

There are still a number of possibilities that can play out this weekend and plenty of different opponents Geelong could face in the postseason, but the most important factor is that they simply win on Saturday night. 

Take a look ahead to what is shaping up to be a massive Saturday for the club at GMHBA Stadium, proudly presented by Villawood Properties. 

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Round 24

Geelong Cats v Richmond

GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Saturday August 22, 7.45pm AEST

THE STATE OF PLAY

It is always one of the most fascinating times of year, with plenty still to play out as teams jostle for position in the final round of the home and away season. 

As previously mentioned, Geelong's win over North Melbourne coupled with Adelaide's defeat has moved the Cats into the top six on the ladder, with a victory in Round 24 most likely ensuring they will host an Elimination Final in the opening week of September. 

With a win, there is still a possibility that the Cats can finish as high as third on the ladder pending results for Brisbane, Hawthorn and Melbourne, with all three sitting just a game clear of Geelong. Losses to two of those teams and a Geelong victory would move the Cats inside the top four. 

A defeat on Saturday, however, would open a host of possibilities the other way for Geelong, with the potential to slip back into a Wildcard position. 

LAST TIME WE MET

In a strange fixture quirk, Saturday will mark the first time that Geelong and Richmond have met this year, and their first meeting since the corresponding round in the 2025 season. 

The Cats raced out of the blocks with a blistering opening half, recording 23 scoring shots to five and building a 63-point lead by the main break, before taking the foot off the gas late and coasting to a 39-point victory. 

Tom Atkins worked hard all afternoon, finishing the match with 27 disposals, nine tackles and 12 score involvements, able to have a strong impact at both ends of the ground. 

Jeremy Cameron (14 score involvements) led the way inside forward 50, Tom Stewart (nine intercept possessions) was strong in defence, while Bailey Smith (34 disposals) ran amok through the middle of the ground. 

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jay Polkinghorne

Chris Scott was confident that the man they call 'The Dragon' would come in and make an immediate impact, and he certainly was not wrong. 

Jay Polkinghorne has made a remarkable start to his AFL career, hitting the scoreboard in all five of his games so far and kicking a total of 11 goals across that span. 

He was instrumental once again in the victory over North Melbourne, kicking three majors and dishing off two goal assists from his seven disposals, booting one of his goals at a crucial stage in the final term. 

By comparison, Jeremy Cameron kicked 10 goals from his first five career games and Tom Hawkins booted nine, so Polkinghorne is certainly making himself known in the early stages of his career at the elite level. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Another blockbuster double-header awaits for the Geelong Football Club on Saturday, with the AFL team set to conclude their home-and-away season, while the AFLW team will play their home opener for 2026. 

Tickets are available for a big day of football, with a ticket providing access to both games at GMHBA Stadium. Follow the link below to secure your seat. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 24 clash with Richmond will be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo, with coverage starting from 7.30pm AEST ahead of the opening bounce at 7.45pm. 

Cats fans can also tune in via K rock from 5.00pm and catch the action from both the AFL and AFLW games. Listen via FM 95.5 across Geelong & the Surf Coast, delay-free via the K rock app, or the AFL app.