A top-two berth goes on the line for Geelong as they gear up for their final game in the home-and-away season, set to take on the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. 

After extending their winning streak to 10 last weekend, the Cats officially secured a top-four finish and solidified their spot in second on the ladder, with a chance host a Qualifying Final with a win over the Bulldogs. 

Geelong can also become the highest scoring team in an AFLW home-and-away season this week, with the record within reach heading into Round 12. 

The Bulldogs are also fighting for a spot in the top four however, and will certainly provide the Cats with a stern test on the eve of the post-season. 

Take a look through all the key details ahead of Friday night at the Cattery. 

MATCH DETAILS

2026 AFLW Season | Round 12
Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Friday 30 October, 7.15pm AEDT

TEAM SELECTION

STATE OF PLAY

Geelong sit in second spot on the ladder heading into the final round of the regular season, holding a 10-1 record which is tied for the best in the competition alongside North Melbourne. 

The good news for the Cats is that they sit a game clear of Melbourne, who currently occupy third spot, which means that a win or draw on Friday night will be good enough to lock in a top-two finish. 

If Geelong can win on Friday night, there is also the possibility that coupled with a North Melbourne loss, they would then win the minor premiership and finish on top of the ladder. 

A loss, however, would mean that Geelong can potentially slip to third spot and would then have to travel for their Qualifying Final, but would still get the double chance either way. 

The Bulldogs currently sit in sixth position on the ladder, but only 3.2% separates them and the Gold Coast Suns in fourth spot, meaning they will be desperate for a win to try and earn a double chance also. 

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 26: Kate Surman of the Cats and Eleanor Bennetts of the Bulldogs compete for the ball during the 2025 AFLW Round 11 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Mars Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

PLAYER TO WATCH

Chloe Scheer

One of the best stories so far in 2026 has been the triumphant return of Chloe Scheer, immediately finding her best form after missing two full seasons of football. 

The star forward has kicked a total of 20 goals for the campaign, forming a formidable trio alongside Jackie Parry (21 goals) and Aishling Moloney (16 goals), helping the Cats to be the highest scoring team in the competition. 

Scheer has also taken 23 marks inside 50 across the season, the fourth most of any player in the AFLW, while also sitting eighth in the league for total score involvements. 

She sits just four goals behind the current AFLW goal-kicking leader, Chloe Molloy, so does Scheer have one more big haul remaining to vault her name to the top of the leaderboard?

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Chloe Scheer of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 AFLW Round 11 match between the Geelong Cats and the Fremantle Dockers at GMHBA Stadium on October 24, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Photos)

TICKETS

Cats fans can secure their seats to Friday's game at GMHBA Stadium through Ticketmaster. 

Kids go free, adult tickets from $15.

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong's Round 12 AFLW clash will be broadcast live and free on 7two and 7plus from 7.00pm AEDT, before the game commences at 7.15pm.

The game will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 7.00pm AEDT.

Listen live on K Rock from 6.30pm on the radio, K Rock app and the AFL app. Â