Geelong will carry the momentum of a seven-game winning streak across the country, as they head to Optus Stadium on Friday night for a Semi-Final against Fremantle. 

After taking care of business against Carlton in last week's Elimination Final, the Cats now head to Perth for another do-or-die clash, their second road trip against the Dockers this year. 

As was the case last week, the loser of Friday's match will be eliminated from the 2026 campaign, while the winner will progress to the penultimate week of the season to face Sydney in a Preliminary Final. 

Fremantle finished atop the ladder and claimed the minor premiership, but fell to Hawthorn in their Qualifying Final and will be looking to respond this week. 

With so much at stake once again, take a last look ahead to Geelong's blockbuster battle with Fremantle, proudly presented by Lee Kum Kee. 

KEY DETAILS 

2026 AFL Season | Semi-Final
Fremantle v Geelong Cats
Optus Stadium, Perth
Friday 11 September, 8.10pm AEST

TEAM SELECTION

RECENT FORM

Geelong completely turned their year around in the home stretch of the home-and-away season, continuing that form in last week's Elimination Final to extend their winning streak to seven. 

During that span, the Cats took down three Wildcard teams including Carlton, Melbourne and Collingwood, giving them plenty of match practice against strong sides which will hold them in good stead. 

What has been most impressive is Geelong's ability to score, recording 100 points or more in six of their last seven matches, with a score of 97 points in the other game during that stretch. 

Fremantle's form has been slightly more shaky, losing two of their last three games in the regular season before falling to Hawthorn in their Qualifying Final, a big difference for a team that won 12 consecutive games during the middle of the season. 

It will be a case of Geelong's momentum going against Fremantle's quest to respond, which should mean that the intensity and pressure will be through the roof on Friday night. 

LAST TIME WE MET

Two games between the teams this year have produced two fascinating results, both sides recording one win but the most recent clash went the way of the Dockers. 

Heading to Optus Stadium without Bailey Smith, Tom Stewart and Gryan Miers, a relatively young Cats outfit took up the challenge against the ladder leaders, piling on seven goals to take a big lead in the shadows of half time. 

Fremantle hit back and took control of the contest after the main break, Geelong continued to fight but fell narrowly short in a nine-point defeat. 

Max Holmes and Tanner Bruhn shone through the middle of the ground, while Lawson Humphries and Connor O'Sullivan were both solid in defence. 

LEE KUM KEE - PIVOTAL MATCH-UP

Shannon Neale v Alex Pearce

The key battle inside Geelong's forward 50 will see spearhead Shannon Neale go toe-to-toe with Fremantle's skipper, Alex Pearce. 

Neale has enjoyed a strong year, leading the Cats' goal-kicking with 49 majors to this point of the season, kicking at least one goal in each of his last seven matches. 

He was engaged in a fascinating battle against Jacob Weitering last week, only recording four possessions for the match but managing to kick two goals at crucial stages. 

Pearce has been one of the competition's best key defenders this year, one of the few Fremantle players who performed strongly last week with 11 intercept possessions against the Hawks. 

Neale kicked five goals against the Dockers in Round 1, before Pearce struck back with 11 intercept possessions and seven intercept marks in Round 15, with this set to be a crucial battle once again on Friday night. 

WHERE TO WATCH 

All matches in the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network.

2026 AFL Broadcast Guide