The Cats have fought out a tough win in wet conditions on Saturday, defeating North Melbourne by 21 points to secure their place in the VFL finals. 

Mitch Hardie led the way for Geelong collecting 32 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, while Jhye Clark dominated through the midfield amassing 23 touches, eight clearances and 10 tackles. 

Mitch Knevitt responded well in his VFL return, picking up 27 possessions and seven clearances while also pushing forward to boot two majors. 

CATS v KANGAROOS - Full match coverage and stats

Geelong adapted well to the wet conditions in the opening term, booting four goals to open up a handy 21 point lead at quarter time. 

In a brilliant moment for the Cats, Bell Park product Jack Sarcevic booted the first goal of the game inside the opening 90 seconds of his VFL debut. 

Mitch Hardie followed suit moments later with a soccer style finish that would leave Cristiano Ronaldo envious, before Patrick Hughes and Mitch Knevitt hit the scoreboard to cap off a terrific first term. 

Momentum shifted in the second quarter with North Melbourne booting three unanswered majors, but a late Jhye Clark goal helped steady the ship to give the Cats a 10 point lead at the main break.  

Brandan Parfitt (16 disposals & seven clearances) and Mitch Knevitt (15 disposals, five clearances & one goal) were both instrumental in the opening half, with Geelong's midfield dominating around stoppages (+9 clearances). 

Knevitt and James Willis booted the opening two goals of the third quarter, before Kaelen Bradtke struck a late blow to give Geelong a 14 point buffer at the final break. 

With the game in the balance, Brandan Parfitt and Tanner Lewis got the Cats off to a perfect start in the last quarter with consecutive goals to extend the lead. 

Geelong were able to hold the Kangaroos to just one goal in the final term, as the Cats closed out the 21 point win. 

The VFL Cats have a bye next weekend, before returning for the penultimate game of their home and away season the following week with a clash against Carlton. 

VFL Round 18

GEELONG CATS            4.4     5.6     8.7    10.12    (72)
NORTH MELBOURNE     1.1     4.2     6.5      7.9     (51)

GOALS: Knevitt 2, Sarcevic, Hardie, Hughes, Clark, Willis, Bradtke, Parfitt, Lewis 1

DISPOSALS: Hardie 32, Knevitt 27, Parfitt, Clark 23, Herbert 21