Geelong has booked its place in the 2026 VFL Preliminary Final, defeating Tasmania by 23 points in a hard-fought Qualifying Final built on relentless pressure and an outstanding midfield performance.

It marks the Cats' first Finals victory since the 2013 VFL campaign, with Geelong now advancing to the penultimate week of the season. The Cats have earned the week off and will return in two weeks with a Grand Final spot on the line.

George Stevens was exceptional in one of his finest performances of the season, finishing with 30 disposals, 18 handballs and nine clearances.

Bowes matched his midfield impact with 30 disposals, five marks and five clearances, while Knevitt was outstanding with 30 disposals, seven marks, three clearances and a goal.

Hofmann continued his impressive run with 21 disposals, 15 kicks and seven marks.

With a Preliminary Final spot on the line, both sides attacked the contest with fierce intensity from the opening bounce. The pressure around the ball made clean possessions difficult as the opening term developed into a hard-fought arm wrestle, before Zach Stevens broke the deadlock with the Cats’ first goal and Jacob Molier followed up with another to give the Cats valuable drive.

Jack Bowes set the tone through the midfield with 15 disposals in a dominant opening term, while Lennox Hofmann (eight disposals) and George Stevens (seven disposals, three kicks and a clearance) were equally important in helping Geelong gain control around the contest.

The Cats continued to lift their pressure in the second quarter, turning strong defensive efforts into attacking opportunities.

Jay Rantall hit the scoreboard before a slick piece of forward play resulted in Nick Driscoll's major, with Jesse Mellor adding another as Geelong began to build momentum.

Nathan Kreuger was immense in defence, repeatedly halting Tasmania's forward entries, while George Stevens produced one of the moments of the day with a brilliant goal from 65 metres out in the centre square.

Kobe George was influential with 10 disposals and four marks, while Driscoll finished the half with nine disposals, two marks and a clearance.

Geelong's intensity reached another level after the main break as its attacking pressure began to overwhelm the visitors. Mellor kicked his second goal of the afternoon before Cillian Burke joined the goal kickers, rewarding the Cats' ability to lock the ball inside their forward half.

A classy passage of play from Patrick Kelly into Jamieson Ballantyne helped spark another attacking chain, before Zach Stevens added his second major and Joe Pike capitalised to extend Geelong's lead.

Rantall was outstanding throughout the third term, collecting 17 disposals, five score involvements and two marks, while Huntar Holmes provided composure with 10 disposals and six handballs.

Tasmania continued to fight until the final siren, but the Cats never allowed their pressure to drop. Mollier kicked his second goal in the final quarter before Mitch Knevitt sealed the result with a late major. 

2026 VFL Season - Qualifying Final

GEELONG      2.4   6.5   10.9   13.11   (89)  
TASMANIA    2.2   4.6    6.8     9.12    (66) 

GOALS
Geelong: Z.Stevens, Molier, Mellor, Knevitt 2, G.Stevens, Rantall, Pike, Driscoll, Burke 1
Tasmania: Hay, Dixon 2, Wolfe, Owen, Leary, Cox-Goodyer, Adams 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong: G.Stevens, Knevitt, Bowes 30, Hofmann 21, Rantall 20
Tasmania: Boag 30, Fox 26, Leary 22, Mitchell 21, Payne 18