MCG will play host to Saturday's AFL game between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions. The game kicks off at 5:15 pm with Geelong Cats heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Geelong Cats vs. Brisbane Lions game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday September 21, 2024 at 5:15 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions Odds

Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions Preview

A repeat of the 2022 Preliminary Final, the Cats host the Lions at their second home ground, the MCG, in what is set to be a thrilling encounter.

Brisbane was on the cusp of defeat against the Giants, down by 44 points in the third quarter before staging a miraculous come from behind victory to force their way into Preliminary Final week.

Geelong have been sitting and waiting over the last fortnight and will be fresh off their 84-point thumping over the Power in the Qualifying Final.

The weight of expectation doesn’t fall on either team, with the Cats in reality getting further than expected, and the Lions coming from nowhere to be in this game, so it’s the most pressure filled free hit either side could get.

Player for player the Lions have a greater depth of class, but they’ve proven in the last five years of their footy, they simply win and lose games of football with their kicking in front of goal.

It’s where Geelong has the upper hand in this contest, when you look across the Geelong forward 50, you see Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle and Gryan Miers, who are all sharpshooters.

For Brisbane, pick any forward and it’s a mystery how they’ll kick, which was clearly demonstrated by Joe Daniher last week.

It’s become their deficiency, but the Lions do know how to work themselves back into the contest and hurt the opposition with a flurry of goals.

The Cats are most dangerous when they spread in transition, breaking lines and taking the game on to create opportunities forward of centre in a matter of seconds.

However, it can be their kryptonite, as they’re often left exposed defensively letting forwards get separation.

The key for the Lions is to simply lower their eyes, as it’s almost a guaranteed success that they’ll find a target with the way the Cats defend transition.

The midfield battle is stoppage masters in the Lions against transition masters in the Cats, which on a big MCG ground often favours midfields with swifter ball movement.

Brisbane conceded 92 points by three quarter time and simply weren’t able to shut out Jesse Hogan’s contested marking, which raises concerns for who will stop Jeremy Cameron.

Tackle pressure wise, the Lions lost the count by 20 against the Giants, whilst the Cats also lost their count against the Power by seven, so intensity will play a big part in this contest.

The last team to come from outside the top four and make a Grand Final was the Western Bulldogs in 2021, and before then GWS in 2019, and both those teams had to win a Preliminary Final on the road.

If any team can do it, it’s Brisbane, with a list that should’ve made top four, against a Cats side who have gotten further than they should have.

Fatigue may be the Lions fall from grace in this contest, but when things get clicking, they’re hard to stop, and they’ve got another golden opportunity.