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Breaking down all the major details ahead of Geelong’s crucial clash with Sydney on Sunday afternoon

Two games remain in the home and away season and for Geelong there is everything to play for, as they head to the SCG for a crucial clash with the Sydney Swans on Sunday afternoon. 

Win this weekend and the Cats would officially secure their spot in Finals, while also taking a significant step closer to locking in a top four position heading into the last round of the regular season. 

Geelong enters the match on a four game win streak but will face a resurgent Sydney team, who has won seven of their last nine games after a slow start to the season. 

With plenty riding on this weekend’s clash, here is everything you need to know before the Cats head north to take on the Swans. 

KEY DETAILS  

2025 AFL Season – Round 23

Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats

SCG, Sydney

Sunday August 17th, 3.15pm (AEST)

TEAM SELECTIONKEY PLAYER TO WATCH

Brad Close

The smaller ground dimensions at the SCG demand precise and efficient ball movement in the forward half, and no Cat has been more important in that area than Brad Close in 2025. 

Close leads the team and sits third in the AFL this year for goal assists (24), while also contributing 17 goals of his own. He is coming off a strong performance against the Bombers last week, where he accumulated 10 score involvements. 

Across four career appearances at the SCG, Close has performed strongly averaging 15 disposals, two goals and a goal assist per game, set to be an important figure once again for the Cats on Sunday afternoon. 

RECENT HISTORY – Geelong v Sydney

This has been a relatively even battle in recent times, with Geelong winning six of their last 10 clashes against Sydney dating back to 2018. 

The last two clashes have resulted in a 30 point loss and a draw however, a trend the Cats will be looking to reverse this weekend. 

SEASON
HOME
AWAY
GROUND

2024 – Round 13
Sydney 16.16 (112)
Geelong 12.10 (82)
SCG

2023 – Round 16
Sydney 6.18 (54)
Geelong 7.12 (54)
SCG

2023 – Round 6
Geelong 20.10 (130)
Sydney 5.7 (37)
GMHBA Stadium

2022 – Grand Final
Geelong 20.13 (133)
Sydney 8.4 (52)
MCG

VENUE HISTORY – SCG

Geelong’s all-time record at the SCG is strong, in fact they hold the third best winning percentage of any visiting team in V/AFL history at the venue (55.1%), but recent history has not been so kind to the Cats. 

Across their last four games at the SCG, Geelong have suffered a pair of 30-point defeats, a two-point loss and a draw, with their last win against Sydney at the venue coming back in 2019. 

SEASON
HOME
AWAY

2024 – Round 13
Sydney 16.16 (112)
Geelong 12.10 (82)

2023 – Round 16
Sydney 6.18 (54)
Geelong 7.12 (54)

2022 – Round 2
Sydney 17.5 (107)
Geelong 10.17 (77)

2021 – Round 7
Sydney 14.6 (90)
Geelong 12.16 (88)

VFL | Round 21

Sydney v Geelong
Sunday 17th August
Bounce: 11:35am AEST
Tramway Oval, Sydney

TICKETS

Tickets are available for Cats fans heading north this weekend, secure your seat through Ticketek today. 

If you have any questions about AFL ticketing or membership please contact Geelong Cats Membership Services here.

WHERE TO WATCH 

Geelong’s Round 23 clash with Sydney will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 from 3.00pm AEST, ahead of the opening bounce at 3.15pm. 

The match will also be broadcast on Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 3.00pm. 

K rock will be covering the match and all the pre-game build up from 2.00pm, tune into 95.5FM, krockfootball.live or the AFL app to follow along. 

Make sure to follow @GeelongCats social media channels for updates pre, during and post game.

Broadcast Details: 2025 AFL Broadcast Guide