Geelong is set for a blockbuster Preliminary Final clash with Brisbane at the MCG, as the Cats look to secure their spot in the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

The stakes do not get much higher than this, with Geelong setting themselves for a 13^th Preliminary Final in the last 18 years looking to secure their seventh Grand Final appearance in that span.

Saturday will also mark the third time in five years that the Cats have faced Brisbane in a Preliminary Final, with Geelong winning the previous two meetings.

Brisbane finished outside the top four but have won two consecutive Finals, taking down Carlton at the Gabba and sending GWS out in straight sets after a remarkable comeback last weekend.  

Match Details 

Geelong v Brisbane
5.15pm AEST, Saturday September 21
MCG, Melbourne

Last Time We Met

Geelong and Brisbane met in round six this year, with the Cats heading to the Gabba and returning home with the four points after a 26-point win in wet conditions.

The Cats trailed midway through the third quarter but their class prevailed in the driving rain, booting the final five goals of the match to run away with the victory.

Tyson Stengle handled the conditions brilliantly booting two goals from 17 disposals, Zach Guthrie and Max Holmes provided plenty of run and carry off half back, while Tanner Bruhn laid nine tackles and collected a game high seven clearances.

Recent History

Geelong have held the ascendancy in recent history against Brisbane, winning 24 of the last 29 clashes between the two sides and 14 of the last 17 in more recent history.

In the Chris Scott coaching era (since 2011), the Cats have won 16 of 20 games against the Lions, Scott’s second highest winning percentage against any team during his tenure.

The Cats last loss to Brisbane in Victoria came back in the 2004 Preliminary Final, with Geelong winning 13 consecutive games at either GMHBA Stadium or the MCG.

Team Selection

Geelong

In: Tom Stewart

Out: Zach Tuohy (Omitted)

Broadcast  

The match will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 4.30pm AEST, ahead of the opening bounce at 5.15pm from the MCG. Fans will be able to listen to all the pre-game build up and match coverage on K Rock from 4.00pm.

Broadcast Guide

GEELONG has recorded a heartbreaking 10-point loss to Brisbane in their preliminary final clash at the MCG on Saturday night.

The sea-sawing contest saw both sides produce a brilliant game of football, but it was the Lions who led on the final siren, recording a 14.11 (95) to 12.13 (85) victory.

CATS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

The game's first 10 minutes of football was error riddled as both sides adjusted to the occasion, but when Charlie Cameron slotted the opening goal it was suddenly game-on.

Jeremy Cameron got the instant reply before back-to-back goals to end the first term saw the Lions take a nine-point lead into quarter time.

Less than five minutes into the second term both sides had four goals on the board, Oscar McInerney had left the ground with a dislocated shoulder, had it put back in, taped up and was reinserted into the fray, Kai Lohmann took a late Mark of the Year contender (or at least a runner-up chance to Isaac Heeney's also-ineligible qualifying final speccy) and Gryan Miers combined with Ollie Henry for a soccer goal worthy of a World Cup final.

By half-time there were 13 goals kicked, one of them another Miers miracle, and the Cats held a 19-point lead.

However, with a comeback win from 44 points down against Greater Western Sydney last week fresh in their minds, the Lions knew they were well in the contest and went about reining in the lead.

Five goals to two had Brisbane in front by two points at the final change.

The fourth quarter didn't see a drop in intensity, with scores level midway through before the Lions kicked two on the trot.

Oliver Henry's third had Geelong back within a kick before his fourth minutes later stole a one-point lead.

Momentum seemed to have swung the Cats way, but nothing was going to be that simple, Callum Ah Chee burying a long snap to put Brisbane back in front and Cam Rayner kicking another from 50 to seal the result.

GEELONG    1.5    8.7     10.8      12.13 (85)
BRISBANE   3.2    5.6    10.10    14.11 (95)

GOALS
Geelong: O.Henry 4, Miers 2, Cameron 2, Mannagh, Dempsey, Dangerfield, Blicavs
Brisbane: Ah Chee 3, Morris 2, Cameron 2, Bailey 2, Rayner 2, McCluggage, Hipwood, Lohmann