Ash Bolt
The AFL has released its fixture for the 2022, with Geelong to again host nine games at GMHBA Stadium.
Among the games in Geelong will be matches with 2021 finalists Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Port Adelaide.
The Cats will also host Adelaide, Fremantle, West Coast, St Kilda and North Melbourne.
Geelong’s remaining two home games will be held at the MCG, against Richmond and Essendon.
The game against Essendon, in round one, will be the Country Festival game, recognising the contribution on rural communities to the sport and the country.
The Cats have also retained their traditional Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn as an away game at the MCG.
Six interstate games will be spread across Sydney, Canberra, Hobart, Gold Coast, Perth, and Adelaide.
The Cats will face West Coast, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, and the Western Bulldogs twice in the season.
Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking said the fixture was “excellent” for the Cats.
“We are excited about the prospect of welcoming our loyal members and supporters back to games, and they will be in for some exceptional contests,” he said.
“We recognise the past two years have been difficult for our members. Their passion for the club in continuing to support us has been critical to our long-term viability and we thank all members for their loyalty through these difficult times.
“Starting the season at the MCG in the annual Powercor Country Festival is a fantastic way to welcome in the new season.
“There is a great mix of opponents at GMHBA Stadium, with four elite teams from 2021 heading to Geelong, and a good spread of Melbourne and interstate-based teams playing here.”
Hocking said it was also a positive the Cats would host back-to-back home games at GMHBA Stadium during Sir Doug Nicholls rounds, which celebrates Aboriginal culture and contribution to the sport.
Hocking added it was a “positive outcome” to have nine games scheduled at GMHBA Stadium despite the ground undergoing a “significant redevelopment” throughout 2022.
While the full fixture was released, the AFL has only allocated timeslots for the first nine rounds to maintain flexibility.
Timeslots for the remaining 14 rounds will be confirmed during the season.
