Geelong has secured its place in the 2026 Smithy's VFL Grand Final after producing a dominant 47-point Preliminary Final victory over Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Backed by a vocal home crowd, the Cats combined relentless pressure, contested strength and polished ball movement to control the contest from the opening bounce, with eight individual goalkickers contributing to the emphatic performance.

The Cats set the tone immediately, swarming Port Melbourne with fierce pressure and attacking the contest at every opportunity. Keighton Matofai-Forbes opened Geelong's account before Jamieson Ballantyne calmly converted from a set shot, rewarding the Cats' for their early dominance inside 50.

Jack Bowes (seven first-quarter disposals) and Jhye Clark (six) were influential in driving Geelong's ball movement as the home side established early control.

Geelong's midfield took over in the second term, with slick handball chains and clean clearance work creating repeat scoring opportunities.

Matofai-Forbes kicked his second before Bowes produced one of the moments of the match, snapping brilliantly under immense pressure. Jay Rantall added two majors for the quarter, while Jacob Molier finished off a superb team passage after Clark fought off two opponents in defence before delivering the decisive goal assist.

George Stevens capped a remarkable first half with a goal of his own, collecting 13 disposals, three marks and five clearances by the main break, while Joe Pike's 12 disposals and seven handballs helped Geelong dominate around the stoppages.

The Cats refused to surrender any momentum after halftime, continuing to win the kicking battle, the handball count, disposals and inside 50s.

Molier struck again early in the term before Tom Pierce joined the scoresheet, with Ballantyne adding his third to stretch the margin even further.

Jesse Mellor provided plenty of spark through the middle with 10 disposals, two marks and four score involvements during an impressive third quarter display.

VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne
VFL 2026 First Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats v Port Melbourne

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GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jed Bews of the Cats is seen in the warm up during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Rhys Stanley of the Cats is seen in the warm up during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Keighton Matofai-Forbes of the Cats is seen in the warm up during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jack Bowes of the Cats is seen in the warm up during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Molier of the Cats is seen in the warm up during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Keighton Matofai-Forbes of the Cats is seen in the warm up during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jack Bowes of the Cats celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jack Bowes of the Cats celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jack Bowes of the Cats celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Mitch Knevitt of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Mitch Knevitt of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Mitch Knevitt of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Molier of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Molier of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Molier of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Molier of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Joe Pike of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Joe Pike of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Joe Pike of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jack Bowes of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jack Bowes of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jack Bowes of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jed Bews of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jed Bews of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jesse Mellor of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jesse Mellor of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jed Bews of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 VFL First Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on September 13th, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

Stevens was outstanding with 30 disposals, 19 handballs and nine clearances, while Bowes finished with 27 disposals, four marks and five clearances in a classy midfield performance.

Clark continued his exceptional season with 24 disposals, 17 kicks and five marks and Mitch Knevitt led the clearance battle with 25 disposals, five marks and eight clearances.

Lenny Hofmann was also important across half-back, collecting 16 disposals and four marks.

With a Grand Final berth within reach, Geelong’s pressure never eased in the final quarter.

Ballantyne completed a four-goal afternoon with two final-term majors, Jed Bews added another, and the Cats closed out a complete four-quarter performance to punch their ticket to next week’s premiership decider.

2026 VFL Season - Preliminary Final

GEELONG CATS         2.5   8.5   11.8   14.12   (96)  
PORT MELBOURNE    2.2   5.6    5.9     6.13    (49) 

GOALS
Geelong Cats: Ballantyne 4, Rantall, Molier, Matofai-Forbes 2, Stevens, Peirce, Bowes, Bews 1
Port Melbourne: Bedendo 2, Tonelli, Penry, Baldwin, Alessio 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Stevens 30, Bowes 27, Knevitt 25, Clark 24, Pike 20, Rantall, Driscoll 19
Port Melbourne: Hird 27, Gahan 26, Hobbs 23, Rankin, Green 19