Geelong Football Club is excited to announce a new partnership with Asahi Lifestyle Beverages, named as an Official Partner of the Cats.
In line with the landmark partnership with the Australian Football League (AFL) announced earlier this year, GMHBA Stadium will be stocked at all Cats home games with a range of drinks from Asahi Lifestyle Beverages including Pepsi Max, Solo, Gatorade and Cool Ridge.
Geelong Football Club Chief Operating Officer Simon Kelleher said, “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Asahi Lifestyle Beverages. Our priority is that every member and fan that walks through the gates of GMHBA Stadium has a memorable Geelong hospitality experience and we look forward to collaborating with the Asahi team to bring this partnership to life for our supporters on matchday.”
Asahi Beverages Group CEO Robert Iervasi said, “Asahi Beverages is tremendously excited to have begun our partnership with the Geelong Football Club.
“We’re privileged to already sell some of our great beers at GMHBA Stadium, including Carlton Draught and Great Northern Super Crisp. Now fans and supporters can watch the Cats while quenching their thirst with some of our great non-alcohol beverages too.
“We are so excited to be able to pair the celebrated 2022 AFL Premiership team with some of Australia’s most iconic beverages from Australia’s leading beverages company.”
With footy returning to GMHBA Stadium for the first time in 2023 on Saturday night, fans will enjoy a host of entertainment and family-friendly initiatives, as the Cats chase a win against the Sydney Swans.
Pre-match, Chief Executive Officer Steve Hocking will be alongside 2022 Premiership Captain Joel Selwood and other Club members including former premiership players Cameron Ling and Mathew Stokes as the 2022 Premiership Flag is unfurled to a sold-out crowd.
There will also be an Anzac Observance Ceremony pre-match with Round 6 the AFL’s Anzac Day round of football. Members and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6.40pm.
For all home games in 2023, the Cats will continue to have an increased focus on fan engagement, with a new player on-field entry highlighted by a big screen countdown with the stadium lights dimmed as players run out alongside pyrotechnics and flames.
To cap it all off, the Cats will continue to commit to keeping the cost of the footy in Geelong affordable for all, freezing the price of all the footy favourites at 2022 prices. The cost of Hot Chips and Routleys Pies will be frozen at $5.70 and 600ml soft drink varieties will remain at $5.50.
Cats members will also have access to exclusive $20 member meal deals available across select outlets up until 30 minutes before the first bounce.
“We can’t wait to welcome our fans back to GMHBA Stadium this weekend and celebrate our 2022 AFL Premiership with them as we unfurl the flag,” Kelleher said.
“We recognise the cost of living challenges in the community, so we are pleased to freeze the price of our footy favourites and help to remove as many barriers as possible for fans and families to enjoy the footy.”
Round 6 Geelong v Sydney key match timings
6.40pm: Member and fans in seats
6:45pm: Live Welcome to Country with host welcome by Corinna Eccles
6:50pm: 2022 Premiership Flag Unfurling
7:05pm: Geelong Cats enter the field
7:18pm: ANZAC Observance Ceremony
- The Ode – recited by Vincent Browne - an army veteran who served in the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Royal Australia Regiment and saw operational service in Afghanistan and East Timor and now works with the RSL
- Last Post - performed by bugler Christina Brown
- Rouse - performed by bugler Christina Brown
- Flag raised during the rouse by Mark Lee (Senior Vice President Geelong RSL)
- Australian National Anthem
7:23pm: Coin toss by Wayne Closter – Wayne played 191 games for Geelong between 1964-1975, missing out on joining the 200 club due to National Service training commitments and a tour of duty serving in Vietnam.
7:25pm: Cats v Swans first bounce
