Gary Rohan will make his long awaited return from injury this Sunday, headlining the VFL Cats inclusions for their trip up the highway to face the Northern Bullants. 

Rohan returns for his first game since Round 22 last year, overcoming a back injury that kept him out of the opening month of the 2024 season. 

The Cats have made six changes for their clash this weekend, as they search for their first win of the 2024 season against the Bullants. 

Amongst the changes are Toby Conway, Oisin Mullin and Shaun Mannagh, all returning to the VFL Cats after impressive stints at the top level. 

VFL Match Centre | Round 3

Jamieson Ballantyne and Todd White round out the inclusions for Geelong. 

Connor O'Sullivan comes out from the side that faced Box Hill a fortnight ago, as he prepares to make his AFL debut this Sunday against North Melbourne. 

Bailey van de Heuvel, Brayden Ham, Kade Chalcraft, Hamish Lucas and Ajang Kuol Mun all make way for the important round three clash. 

The VFL Cats will take on the Northern Bullants from 2.05pm this Sunday, at Genis Steel Oval in Preston. 

All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.

VFL Round 3

Geelong v Northern Bullants
2.05pm AEST, Sunday April 14, 2024
Genis Steel Oval, Preston

In: Toby Conway, Gary Rohan, Oisin Mullin, Shaun Mannagh, Jamieson Ballantyne, Todd White

Out: Connor O'Sullivan, Brayden Ham, Bailey Van De Heuvel, Ajang Kuol Mun, Kade Chalcraft, Hamish Lucas

The VFL Cats have opened their account for the 2024 season, recording a comfortable 53 point win over the Northern Bullants on Sunday.

Geelong was boosted by another strong performance from Mitch Hardie, who amassed 27 disposals and kicked two goals in a dominant display by the tough onballer.

Lawson Humphries continued his impressive start to the year with 25 possessions and a goal, while Mitch Knevitt and Emerson Jeka worked hard all day for 23 touches a piece.

The Cats welcomed back Gary Rohan for his first game of the season, along with Toby Conway and Oisin Mullin after impressive stints at AFL level in recent weeks.  

CATS v BULLANTS - Full match coverage and stats

The Cats drew first blood through Lawson Humphries, who found himself on the end of a slick handball chain and converted on the run for the opening goal of the game.

Shaun Mannagh spotted up Phoenix Foster moments later for the Cats second major, before Mitch Knevitt capitalised on a Bullants turnover to make it three straight for Geelong.

Mitch Hardie chimed in with his first goal late in the opening term, as the Cats raced out to a 14 point lead at the first break.

Rocking a fresh new haircut, Oisin Mullin racked up nine disposals in the opening term, while Mitch Knevitt was strong with five possessions and a goal.

James Willis submitted his entry for mark of the year, soaring above a Bullants defender to take a spectacular grab early in the second quarter.

Tanner Lewis opened the Cats account in the second term with a nice set shot, before Shaun Mannagh kicked two goals in quick succession to extend Geelong’s lead to 23 points at the main break.

Toby Conway was simply incredible in the first half, picking up a game high 15 disposals and four clearances, while winning 17 of 21 hitouts in the opening two quarters.

The game tightened up in the third quarter, with both teams upping the pressure before Kaelan Bradtke broke the contest open with two late goals just before three quarter time.   

Entering the final term with a 29 point buffer, Marcus Herbert and Shaun Mannagh slammed the door shut on the Bullants with a pair of goals in the opening ten minutes of the quarter.

Mitch Hardie slotted his second late, as the Cats held the Bullants scoreless in the last quarter to run away with the 53 point win.

Oisin Mullin was solid on his return to the VFL with 21 disposals and seven marks, while Cats skipper Dan Capiron took 11 marks in a dominant display across half back.

The VFL Cats will now turn their attention to round four, as they travel to Brisbane on Saturday afternoon to face the Lions. 

VFL Round 3

GEELONG     4.3     7.8     9.11    12.17    (89)
BULLANTS    2.1     4.3     5.6      5.6      (36)

GOALS: Mannagh, Bradtke 2, Humphries, Knevitt, Foster, Hardie, Lewis 1

DISPOSALS: Hardie 27, Humphries 25, Knevitt, Jeka 23, Mullin 21

@ Genis Steel Oval, Preston