Currently occupying eighth spot on the ladder, the Cats sit amidst a log-jam heading into round 20 with seven teams separated by just one game as we approach the point end of the 2023 home and away season.
A strong finish to the regular season will likely see Geelong push up as high as fifth on the ladder, with the potential to host an elimination final in the opening week of September.
The Cats post-season push will begin this weekend, with a vital clash against Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium.
Statistically, Geelong has been troubled by the Dockers at Kardinia Park, losing three of their last six clashes at the venue.
But with Fremantle struggling in 2023 sitting 15th on the ladder, Saturday’s game will be potentially the Cats most winnable match from their final five weeks.
The two biggest games of Geelong’s season await on the other side of Fremantle, with back-to-back blockbusters set to define the Cats 2023 premiership defence.
The first will see Port Adelaide visit GMHBA Stadium for a Saturday night showdown, with the Power currently sitting second on the ladder.
The Cats hold a strong record against Port Adelaide in Geelong, winning the last eight clashes and 13 out of 15 matches at home across their history.
Port Adelaide’s last win at GMHBA Stadium came 16 years ago, all the way back in round 21 of the 2007 season just weeks before the Cats officially kickstarted their dynasty.
Geelong will test themselves against the best in round 22, taking on arch-rivals and ladder leader Collingwood in a highly anticipated Friday night clash at the MCG.
This will mark the Cats' first clash with the Magpies since the opening round of the season, where the they fell just short in a high-scoring affair.
Prior to that however, Geelong had enjoyed a strong run against Collingwood winning seven out of their previous nine meetings, including a nailbiter in last year’s Qualifying Final.
The Cats then clash against St Kilda in the penultimate week, a contest that has historically swung in Geelong's favor more often than not, with the Cats winning seven of their last eight clashes dating back to 2017.
Remarkably it will be just Geelong’s second game of the season under the roof at Marvel Stadium.
The Cats have statistically enjoyed playing at the Docklands, holding a 67% win-rate from 102-games which is the best across any team in AFL history.
Finally, Geelong will welcome the Western Bulldogs to GMHBA Stadium in the last week of the regular season.
The Cats obviously hold a strong record at Kardinia Park against the Bulldogs as they do against most teams, but incredibly the team from Footscray hasn’t won here since 2003.
With five important games against a host of teams fighting for a spot in September action, the Cats will look to start their charge against Fremantle this Saturday.
