The VFL Cats are set to commence their Finals campaign on Saturday afternoon, as they head up the highway to take on Werribee in the first Qualifying Final.
Finishing the home and away season in fourth position, Geelong secured a double chance and will have the opportunity to progress straight to a Preliminary Final with a win this weekend.
The Cats will enter their Finals campaign with some momentum, following a hard fought 13 point victory over Sandringham in the final round of the regular season.
Standing between Geelong and the penultimate week of the season is Werribee, who won 12 of their last 13 games to secure top spot and the minor premiership.
The winner of Saturday’s blockbuster will earn a week off and a home Preliminary Final, with the loser to face either Southport or Frankston in a Semi Final next week.
Match Details
Werribee v Geelong
12.00pm AEST, Saturday August 31
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee
Ladder
Werribee: 1st (15-3)
Geelong: 4th (12-5-1)
Points For
Werribee: 1504
Geelong: 1537
Points Against
Werribee: 1067
Geelong: 1242
What it Means
The Cats can secure a home Preliminary Final with a win on Saturday, moving just one game away from the VFL Grand Final which will also earn them a bye next weekend.
Losing to Werribee on Saturday will see the Cats progress to a Semi Final next week, which will be against the winner of the first Elimination Final between Southport and Frankston.
Geelong have not made a VFL Grand Final since 2013, a game that Cats current head coach Mark Corrigan actually played in, but can move within one game of a Grand Final berth with a win this week.
Last Time We Met
Geelong faced Werribee in the opening round of the VFL season, going down to the Tigers by 53 points at GMHBA Stadium.
It was a tightly contested contest with only 12 points separating the two sides at half time, but a seven goal final quarter from Werribee sealed the result.
Mitch Hardie (29 disposals, seven clearances) led the way through the middle, Marcus Herbert (25 disposals) found plenty of the footy and James Willis (two goals) was lively up forward.
Key Players
The Cats will turn to their experience in Saturday’s Qualifying Final, naming 17 AFL-listed players as they look to move to a Preliminary Final.
All eyes will be on Sam De Koning as he makes his return from injury, having missed the last three weeks of the AFL home and away season.
Cats fans will also be keeping an eye on Gary Rohan and Mitch Knevitt in their VFL returns, as they look to have an impact against a strong Werribee team.
Broadcast
Saturday’s Qualifying Final will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 12.00pm.
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons are also live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
