The VFL Cats have made six changes to their team, ahead of a Saturday afternoon clash with the Brisbane Lions at Brighton Homes Arena.

Geelong will welcome back Connor O'Sullivan this weekend, after the highly touted youngster made his AFL debut against North Melbourne last Sunday. 

Shannon Neale also returns after an impressive outing against the Kangaroos, adding some valuable height and experience to the VFL Cats forward half. 

VFL Match Centre | Round 4

Osca Riccardi and Bailey Van De Heuvel have both been added to the side for this weekend, along with talented young ruckman Ajang Kuol Mun, after the trio missed the clash with the Bullants last week. 

Patrick Hughes is the final inclusion for the Cats, joining the side as the 23rd player ahead of the clash with the Lions. 

Toby Conway has been added to the Cats AFL team for Saturday night's clash with Brisbane, while Oisin Mullin will miss through personal reasons. 

Marcus Herbert (injured), James Willis (illness), Tobyn Murray (Young guns) and Jamieson Ballantyne will all miss the clash with the Lions on Saturday. 

The VFL Cats will take on the Lions from 1.05pm this Saturday, at Brighton Homes Arena in Brisbane. 

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 4

Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions
1.05pm AEST, Saturday April 20, 2024
Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich

In: Connor O'Sullivan, Shannon Neale, Osca Riccardi, Bailey Van De Heuvel, Ajang Kuol Mun, Patrick Hughes

Out: Toby Conway (AFL), Oisin Mullin (Personal), Marcus Herbert (Injured), James Willis (Illness), Tobyn Murray (Young Guns), Jamieson Ballantyne

The VFL Cats have claimed their second win of the season, knocking over the highly fancied Brisbane Lions in a nail-biting three point win on Saturday afternoon.

It was the Geelong skipper, Dan Capiron who sealed the game for his side, floating back with the flight to take a spectacular intercept mark in the dying seconds to repel Brisbane’s final attack.

The Cats had plenty of big performances right across the ground including Gary Rohan, who kicked three goals from ten disposals as he continues to gain momentum after returning from injury last week.

CATS v LIONS - Full match coverage and stats

Mitch Hardie continued his stellar start to the season, amassing over 30 disposals for the second straight week while Emerson Jeka stood tall in defence, collecting 21 possessions and numerous intercept marks. 

Mitch Knevitt (25 disposals), Connor O’Sullivan (23 disposals), and Ted Clohesy (21 disposals & 12 tackles) all contributed heavily as Geelong recorded a big win over one the competitions strongest teams. 

The Cats started sprightly in the opening term through young onballer, George Stevens who snapped through his first goal in the blue and white hoops to open the scoring for the day.

Geelong went coast to coast through the middle of the ground minutes later, ending in the hands of Phoenix Foster who made no mistake to slot the Cats second major.

Despite controlling the play for extended periods, the Cats were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard as they entered the first break 10 points adrift of Brisbane.   

George Stevens made his presence felt in the opening term, picking up eight disposals and three clearances to go with his goal.

The Cats turned to their most experienced players to help win back the momentum after quarter time, with Gary Rohan and Jed Bews putting through two classy goals, levelling the scores early in the second term.

Shaun Mannagh’s slick hands created space inside 50 for Rohan, with the speedy forward slamming home his second major to put the Cats back in front.

Oliver Wiltshire was the next to make the most of his opportunity, snapping home a brilliant long range goal as the Cats ended a dominant second quarter with a three point lead at the main break.

Mannagh looked comfortable spending more time through the midfield with 11 touches at half time, while Lawson Humphries and Jed Bews both provided a spark off half back.  

The scoring dried up after half time as Geelong increased their pressure, Phoenix Foster finally broke the deadlock 23 minutes into the third quarter with his second goal of the game.  

Three goals to Brisbane late in the quarter put the Lions back in front, with the Cats facing a seven point deficit heading into the final term.

Geelong took no time closing the gap in the last quarter, winning the opening clearance which lead to Kaelen Bradtke’s first goal of the game inside the opening minute.

The Cats pieced together another brilliant passage of play, ending with Gary Rohan at the top of the goal square who booted his third major of the contest.

Geelong's defence then took over, keeping Brisbane goalless in the last quarter as they hung on to their narrow lead right to the final siren. 

The Cats will head to IKON Park next Saturday afternoon in search of their third win in a row, as they take on Carlton with the first bounce from 12.05pm. 

VFL Round 4

GEELONG      2.5     6.9     7.12     9.13     (67)
BRISBANE     4.3     6.6      9.7      9.10     (64)
 
GOALS: Rohan 3, Foster 2, Stevens, Bews, Wiltshire, Bradtke 1

BEST: Clohesy, Knevitt, Hardie, O'Sullivan, Jeka, Wiltshire

DISPOSALS: Hardie 31, Knevitt 25, O’Sullivan 23, Jeka, Clohesy 21

INJURIES: Foster (Concussion), Van De Heuvel (Knee)

@ Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich