Geelong are set for their final pre-season hit-out, as they prepare to take on Essendon in the AAMI Community Series on Tuesday night. 

The Cats will host the Bombers at GMHBA Stadium, with the opening bounce set for 7.10pm. 

Cats members and kids under 14 will have FREE general admission access to the 2025 AAMI Community Series. AFL, Cats and Bombers members can scan their membership on match day at GMHBA Stadium for free general admission access, subject to capacity. General admission tickets for adults will be $20, while juniors aged 14 years and under will be free.

With plenty of exciting things to keep an eye on, see below the top four things to watch as the Cats battle Essendon on Tuesday night. 

1. Geelong close in on their starting line-up

Tuesday night's clash will be the Cats final hit-out before the start of the 2025 AFL season, with just nine days separating the AAMI Community Series match and their Opening Round clash against Brisbane. 

With time ticking down, Geelong will be looking to finalise the starting line-up that they will take to the Gabba, after a number of players put their hand up with strong performances against Hawthorn last Monday. 

Look for players like Connor O'Sullivan and Mitch Knevitt to continue to push their case for a spot in the team, while others like Gryan Miers and Ollie Henry will be looking to continue their momentum from last Monday. 

Expect Geelong's line-up to look more settled on Tuesday night, as they prepare for a blockbuster Opening Round clash. 

2.  Humphries and Stengle return

Two notable absentees from Monday's match simulation were Lawson Humphries and Tyson Stengle, after the pair represented the Indigenous All Stars in their match against Fremantle. 

Humphries (20 disposals, seven marks) impressed at Optus Stadium with his poise and skill, while Tyson Stengle (16 disposals, one goal) looked at his classy best in the forward half. 

Both players were instrumental in Geelong's 2024 campaign, and it will be exciting to see them pull on the Hoops once again on Tuesday night against Essendon. 

3. Where do De Koning and Dangerfield play?

There has been plenty of intrigue around the starting positions for two of Geelong's stars, with Sam De Koning and Patrick Dangerfield both playing different roles against the Hawks last Monday. 

As noted throughout the Cats pre-season, De Koning has been training in the ruck and that certainly proved to be the case in the match simulation, with the talented tall attending a game high 25 ruck contests. 

Similarly, Dangerfield spent plenty of time roaming around inside Geelong's forward 50 against Hawthorn, often having a presence aerially and looking to be a third or fourth tall option. 

Whether these moves were experimental, load management or a glimpse into the future for the Cats, plenty of questions should be answered on Tuesday night to see where these two players line-up. 

4. The midfield mix

Last Monday provided Geelong the perfect opportunity to roll numerous players through the midfield, as they search for the right formula in 2025. 

Max Holmes (24 disposals, four clearances) led the way against the Hawks spending plenty of time around stoppages, but he has also proven to be more than capable running off half back. 

Mitch Knevitt (21 disposals, four clearances) impressed, Tanner Bruhn (18 disposals, four clearances) looked busy while Jack Bowes, Tom Atkins and Bailey Smith all played most of the match simulation through the middle. 

With other options such as Tom Stewart and Patrick Dangerfield also ready to step into the on-ball division as required, look for the Cats to settle on their starting rotations in the final pre-season hit-out.