The VFL Cats will host Southport in a cut throat Semi Final at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, looking to progress through to a Preliminary Final for the first time in several years.

Geelong fell to Werribee by 21 points in a tough Qualifying Final last week, looking to bounce back this week and secure their spot in the penultimate week of the VFL season.

The challenge ahead of them won’t be an easy one, with Southport coming off an impressive performance in their Elimination Final booting 30 goals and nearly 200 total points last weekend.

See below details for Saturday’s match, broadcast information and ticket sales for Geelong supporters wanting to attend the Semi Final.  

Match Details 

Geelong v Southport
11.35am AEST, Saturday September 7
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Ladder   
Geelong: 4^th (12-5-1)
Southport: 5^th (12-6)
 
Finals Results – Week One
Qualifying Final: Werribee 8.9 (57) def Geelong 5.6 (36)
Elimination Final: Southport 30.15 (195) def Frankston 16.7 (103)

Ticketing

Admission prices for the 2024 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series are as follows:

For matches played in Victoria during Wildcard Round through to the Preliminary Finals, admission prices will be adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and children under 15 free.

For the 2024 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free.

Tickets can be purchased from midday Tuesday each week of the finals series via www.intix.com.au/org/vfl.

Plan your day

• Gates open at 10.35am before the opening bounce at 11.35am
• Pre purchase tickets to avoid queues at the gate
• General seating available in the Brownlow and Premiership Stands
• Food and Beverage outlets open during the match
• Limited car parking available

Cats Shop

The Cats Shop will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday. 

What it Means

Every Final from here on is an Elimination game in the VFL, with the loser of each match knocked out of the 2024 season.

The winner of Saturday’s match will progress through to the Second Preliminary Final, which will mean a clash with Footscray next Saturday for a spot in the VFL Grand Final.

Geelong have not made a VFL Grand Final since 2013, but can move just one game away from the 2024 decider with a win against Southport on Saturday.

Last Time We Met 

Geelong’s last clash against Southport came in round seven last season, with the Cats falling by 44 points to an impressive Sharks outfit at GMHBA Stadium.

The game was still up for grabs at three quarter time with the margin hovering around 20 points, but Southport piled on five unanswered goals after the final break to seal the deal.

James Willis was incredible for the Cats collecting 21 disposals and booting three goals, while Brandan Parfitt picked up 21 possessions in a solid display.

Broadcast  

Saturday’s Semi Final will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 11.30am.

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

Geelong's VFL season has come to a close after the Cats fell to Southport by 29 points at GMHBA Stadium in Saturday's Semi Final. 

A six goal to two second quarter from the Sharks saw them bounce out to a healthy lead early, with the Cats unable to peg the margin back despite controlling the play for large portions of the second half. 

Mitch Knevitt was outstanding for Geelong finishing the day with 39 disposals, 13 clearances and 10 tackles to lead all players on the ground in those three categories. 

Tom Hawkins (10 disposals, one goal) and Cameron Guthrie (19 disposals, eight tackles) both made successful returns from injury, much to the delight of a strong Cats crowd at GMHBA Stadium. 

The top highlight from the first quarter came from none other than Tom Hawkins who booted a brilliant goal from a forward stoppage, but the Cats trailed Southport by five points at the first break. 

Mitch Knevitt was incredible in the opening term collecting 13 disposals, five clearances and laying seven tackles in a dominant early display. 

The Sharks continued to mount a strong challenge after quarter time, kicking six unanswered goals to extend the margin to 29 points just 10 minutes into the second term. 

Mitch Hardie and Phoenix Foster hit the scoreboard to wrestle back some momentum, but the Cats still found themselves 27 points adrift heading into the main break. 

Knevitt continued his phenomenal start finishing the half with 23 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles, while Brandan Parfitt (12 disposals, six tackles) and Mitch Hardie (10 disposals, one goal) worked hard through the middle. 

An arm wrestle ensued after half time, Phoenix Foster breaking the deadlock with a long range setshot, before Cameron Guthrie booted another to cut the margin back to a manageable 17-points at three quarter time. 

The Cats found plenty of chances in the last quarter but only kicked one goal from six scoring shots, as Southport closed out the 29 point win. 

VFL Semi Final

GEELONG          2.3     4.6      6.11     7.16     (58)
SOUTHPORT     3.2     9.3     10.4     13.9     (87)

GOALS
Geelong: Foster, Hardie 2, Clohesy, Hawkins, Guthrie 1
Southport: Lockhart, Buzza 3, Heron 2, Gray, Derrington, Dixon, Sexton, Lake 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Knevitt 39, Clohesy 24, Hardie 20, Lovell, Guthrie 19
Southport: Dawson 27, Jepson 25, Woodcock 20, Manteit 18

INJURIES
Geelong: Gary Rohan (Concussion)

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong