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Everything you need to know as the Cats prepare for Friday night’s Qualifying Final against Brisbane at the MCG

The day has arrived, Geelong’s September campaign begins tonight as the Cats head to the MCG to take on Brisbane in a Qualifying Final. 

The stakes are enormous from here onward, with the competition down to eight remaining teams, and one of those teams stand just four weeks away from Premiership glory. 

For the Cats, the first hurdle is one of the biggest tests in football, squaring off in a 2024 Preliminary Final rematch against the reigning premiers. 

Check out everything you need to know ahead of Friday night’s massive clash at the MCG. 

KEY DETAILS  

2025 AFL Season – Qualifying Final

Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions

MCG, Melbourne

Friday September 5th, 7.40pm (AEST)

TEAM SELECTIONKEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Oisin Mullin

He has done a stellar job of nullifying some of the competition’s most dangerous players all season long, but who will Oisin Mullin go to on Friday night?

There are plenty of candidates including the likes of Hugh McCluggage and Lachie Neale through the midfield, or perhaps in a more traditional role on Charlie Cameron or Zac Bailey in Brisbane’s forward half.

Is there also a chance that Mullin might be deployed on Dayne Zorko, to help limit his impact off half back?

Time will tell, but it will certainly be intriguing to see where Chris Scott thinks Mullin can be utilised best against the Lions on Friday. 

RECENT HISTORY – Geelong v Brisbane

Tonight’s game will be the fourth time in six years that Geelong and Brisbane have met in a final, with the Cats holding a slender advantage with two wins from those three matches. 

But the Cats will also need to reverse the trend of the past 12 months, slipping to defeat in their three most recent clashes with the Lions. 

SEASON
HOME
AWAY
GROUND

2025 – Round 15
Geelong 6.15 (51)
Brisbane 14.8 (92)
GMHBA Stadium

2025 – Round 3
Brisbane 10.10 (70)
Geelong 9.7 (61)
Gabba

2024 – Preliminary Final
Geelong 12.13 (85)
Brisbane 14.11 (95)
MCG

2024 – Round 6
Brisbane 4.13 (37)
Geelong 9.9 (63)
Gabba

2023 – Round 19
Brisbane 9.10 (64)
Geelong 7.11 (53)
Gabba

2022 – Preliminary Final
Geelong 18.12 (120)
Brisbane 7.7 (49)
MCG

VENUE HISTORY – MCG

The Cats recorded a solid 4-1 record at the MCG during the home and away season, playing some of their best football at the venue with wins over Hawthorn and Collingwood. 

Typically a great indicator of where Geelong is at, their record at the MCG in premiership years is always brilliant with a 28-2 record in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2022 combined. 

Their last win at the MCG in September was the 2022 Grand Final, a record they will be looking to add to on Friday night. 

SEASON
HOME
AWAY

2025 – Round 24
Richmond 9.10 (64)
Geelong 14.19 (103)

2025 – Round 14
Essendon 8.8 (56)
Geelong 23.13 (151)

2025 – Round 8
Collingwood 12.15 (87)
Geelong 13.12 (90)

2025 – Round 7
Carlton 14.10 (94)
Geelong 12.4 (76)

2025 – Round 6
Geelong 12.14 (86)
Hawthorn 11.13 (79)

TICKETS

Limited tickets for Friday night’s Qualifying Final are still available through Ticketek, follow the link below to secure your seat to support the Cats in September.  

Transaction Limit: 10
Ticket link to purchase: Ticketek
Accessible Bookings: Available online for Ticketek matches. Members can select tickets best suited to their needs online during the member pre-sale (subject to availability).

Join us as we March to the ‘G on Friday night. 

Presented by Gatorade, Geelong’s March to the ‘G will depart Federation Square at 6.00pm AEST on Friday night, with a swarm of Cats supporters to descend on the MCG ahead of our blockbuster Qualifying Final against Brisbane. Led by the Cats marching band, Geelong fans will follow the Yarra River and arrive at the home of football in time for the game. 

The Cats Shop van will be at Federation Square from 1.00pm so you can stock up on blue and white merchandise for the big match, while Half Cat and Clawdia will also be in attendance from 4pm.

WHERE TO WATCH 

All matches in Week One of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network and Fox Footy, while also being streamed live on Kayo.

All coverages will start from 7.00pm AEST ahead of the opening bounce at 7.40pm. 

For those tuning into the action on the radio, K rock will be covering the all the action from 6.00pm. Listen live through 95.5FM, 88.0 at the MCG, krockfootball.live or via the AFL app.

Broadcast Details: 2025 AFL Broadcast Guide