The wait is over and footy is back for the 2025 season, with Geelong set to commence their campaign in an Opening Round blockbuster against Brisbane. 

Weather permitting, the Cats will face the reigning premiers on Thursday night at the Gabba in the first match of the regular season. 

The two sides produced one of the best games of the year in 2024, Geelong falling narrowly short in a classic Preliminary Final. 

Brisbane will enter this week's clash with a relatively similar side, take a look below at the key things to watch in Thursday's game. 

2024 Results

Geelong
3rd on Ladder (15-8)
Eliminated in Preliminary Final

Brisbane
5th on ladder (14-8-1)
Premiers

17:43

Time Cat-Sule with Andrew Bews Round 7, 1992

Former Geelong Captain Andrew Bews joined Cats media to chat through his part of the famous record-breaking total score game that Geelong took part in back in 1992, and added more to the story from his perspective.

Restricting Dayne Zorko's Supply

A stalwart of Brisbane, Dayne Zorko moved into a different role in 2024 and became a prime distributor off half back for the Lions. 

Across 27 games for the season, Zorko averaged a career high 26.3 disposals and 4.8 rebound 50s per game, going at better than 70% disposal efficiency. 

His impact was profound in the Preliminary Final, amassing a game high 32 disposals and 766 metres gained in a match winning performance. 

In the AAMI Community Series, Zorko collected 28 disposals and eight intercept possessions, indicating that his role has not changed and he will be one for the Cats to try and restrict on Thursday. 

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 20: Dayne Zorko of the Lions in action during the 2024 AFL Round 06 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba on April 20, 2024 in BRISBANE, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

Winning the Clearance Battle

Often an area of intrigue for the Cats, the clearance battle is always important when taking on Brisbane who are regarded as one of the top midfields in the competition. 

The Lions came out on top in this statistic at the end of last year's Preliminary Final (43-33), led by Lachie Neale (12 clearances) and Hugh McCluggage (six clearances). 

From their 27 matches last year, Brisbane only lost the clearance battle nine times while finishing with a +10 differential or better on eight occasions. 

The Cats got off to a slow start in the AAMI Community Series finishing 13 clearances behind Essendon, an area they will need to improve on at the Gabba this week. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats and Lachie Neale of the Lions compete for the ball during the 2022 AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Stopping Lachie Neale 

Trying to restrict a two time Brownlow Medal winner is no easy feat, but Geelong have seen firsthand how damaging Lachie Neale can be.

In the Preliminary Final, Neale played an instrumental role finishing with 31 disposals and a game high 12 clearances to help lead the Lions to victory. 

Across 18 career appearances against the Cats, Neale has averaged 24.5 disposals and 6.6 clearances per game. 

Geelong will want to gain ascendancy around stoppages on Thursday, stopping Neale will go a long way to achieving that.