Geelong will look to gather momentum and kick off the second half of the season, with an important clash against Port Adelaide this Thursday night.

The match will mark the first of eight remaining games against teams currently inside the top eight for the Cats, in a stretch that will see Geelong test themselves against the competition’s best.

Sitting even with six wins from their 12 games so far, the Cats will look to replicate their 2022 winning streak to cement their place in the top eight and earn a chance to defend their premiership title.

The game against Port Adelaide kicks off an important three week stretch, with Geelong returning home to host Melbourne in round 15 before travelling to Sydney the following week.

Cameron Ling and Meg McDonald discussed the Cats run home on this week’s episode of the ‘To the Final Bell,’ podcast.

“Eight games against the top eight sides plus Fremantle who are currently tenth, but six games at GMHBA Stadium is very nice,” Ling said. 

"We have Sydney at the SCG, who I wouldn't say are flying but you're playing them at the SCG. 

“They're going to be pretty angry about what happened down here at GMHBA stadium earlier on in the year, you'd expect a response. 

“We’ve also got Essendon at GMHBA, that is a monster, that is a huge game and Brisbane at the Gabba, we know they go alright there.” 

The Cats will travel interstate three times in the last 11 weeks, but importantly play six games at GMHBA stadium across the back half of the season. 

Geelong have played 93-games at GMHBA Stadium in Chris Scott’s tenure as coach, winning 79 of these games for an 85%-win rate at home. 

The last time the Cats lost two games at home in the same season was 2015, boding well for Geelong in their run home this year. 

The Cats will play just one more game at both the MCG and Marvel Stadium, with a late season blockbuster clash with Collingwood looming in round 21. 

McDonald spoke on the positive attitude Geelong possess heading into the second half of their season. 

“My favourite thing that Scotty said post-game last week, he spoke about optimism and he said if the equation becomes that we have to win every game then I believe we will win every game,” McDonald said. 

“I think we can win all the games at GMHBA Stadium, then you have a beautiful finals preview against Collingwood in front of a big crowd." 

Geelong will enjoy a host of top players returning from injury this week, as they look to work back towards a full-strength side in the coming weeks. 

The Cats take on Port Adelaide this Thursday Night in a blockbuster clash at Adelaide Oval.