Geelong are back in action on Tuesday night, set to take on Essendon in an AAMI Community Series practice match at GMHBA Stadium. 

It is set to be the Cats final hit-out in the pre-season, before attention turns to next week's Opening Round clash against Brisbane at the Gabba. 

The match is free for members to attend with general admission available for any other supporters wanting to see Geelong in action, with the clash also broadcast on Fox Footy and Kayo. 

Alternatively, the Cats will be providing a live blog on their official website from 4.00pm, covering all the live action from Geelong's AFL and VFL practice matches. 

See all other key details and information below. 

KEY DETAILS 

AAMI Community Series Match
Geelong Cats vs Essendon
GMHBA Stadium
Tuesday 25 February, 7.20pm

TEAM SELECTION

LAST TIME WE MET

Geelong's last clash with Essendon came in round 16 last year, when the Cats triumphed in slippery conditions at the MCG running away with a 45 point win. 

There were storylines everywhere; Tom Stewart into the midfield, Lawson Humphries made his AFL debut, but it was a 10 goal to two second half from the Cats that stole the show. 

Ollie Dempsey (25 disposals, two goals) led the way, Jack Bowes (26 disposals, one goal) was immense through the middle while Tyson Stengle (three goals) dominated inside forward 50.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sam De Koning

There has been plenty of intrigue around where Sam De Koning will line up this year, after the young talent showed promise both down back and in the ruck throughout 2024. 

If the match simulation is anything to go by, expect to see a bit of the big Cat in the middle this year. 

De Koning attended a game high 25 ruck contests against Hawthorn, keep an eye on him against Essendon to see where he is deployed. 

Ted Clohesy

One player that has flown under the radar this pre-season is Ted Clohesy, following a strong 2024 VFL campaign where he averaged 22 disposals and a goal per game. 

The tough utility can play both down forward and through the midfield, both were evident during Monday's match simulation against the Hawks. 

Clohesy collected 15 disposals, six marks and laid four tackles in a solid first hit-out for 2025, watch for him to have an impact on Tuesday against the Bombers. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

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.

Follow the link here to secure your ticket. 

HOW TO FOLLOW 

Supporters can follow all the action from Geelong's AFL and VFL practice games on the Cats live blog, which will be available on the official website from 4.00pm. 

All AAMI Community Series matches will also be broadcast live on Foxtel and streamed via Kayo. 

Cats fans can sign up to a Digital Plus Membership to watch the match simulation, along with every game of every round of the AFL season live and ad-break free.

Geelong will reap the benefits of a solid hit-out to close out their pre-season, with plenty of positives to takeaway despite going down to Essendon by 21 points at GMHBA Stadium. 

The two sides traded blows for most of the night, the Cats hitting the front midway through the last term before the Bombers reeled off the final four goals to seal the result. 

One major positive to come from the game was the performance of Jack Bowes, who amassed 31 disposals, five clearances, six inside 50's and booted a goal to lead the way through the midfield. 

Gryan Miers was equally as impressive collecting 30 disposals and a goal, while Jeremy Cameron finished with 23 possessions and two goals. 

One big talking point heading into the night was Mitch Knevitt who did his Opening Round chances no harm, collecting 22 disposals and four clearances to back up his strong performance against Hawthorn. 

The Cats started slowly in the opening term, conceding four of the first five goals to find themselves trailing by 15 points at quarter time. 

It did not take long for Geelong to click into gear, slotting six goals in the second quarter to take a three point lead into the main break. 

The two sides then traded goals throughout the second half, the Cats still holding the lead halfway through the final term before the Bombers kicked away late. 

Geelong's attention will now turn to the Opening Round, as they prepare for a blockbuster clash against Brisbane at the Gabba next Thursday night. 

2025 AAMI Community Series

GEELONG       2.3     8.4     10.7     12.11    (83)
ESSENDON     5.0     8.1     11.2     17.2     (104)

GOALS
Geelong: Stengle, Neale, Cameron 2, Miers, O.Henry, Dangerfield, Clohesy, Bowes, Blicavs 1
Essendon: Kako 4, Caddy 3, Perkins, Martin, Gresham, Durham 2, Draper, Bryan 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Bowes 31, Miers 30, Cameron 23, Knevitt, Holmes 22
Essendon: Tsatas 31, Hobbs 29, McGrath 28, Jones 27, Shiel 26

Crowd: 11,626 at GMHBA Stadium