Prelim preview: The head-to-head stats you need to know for Geelong v Brisbane

Geelong will face Brisbane this Saturday night at the MCG in a highly anticipated Preliminary Final that will kick off at 5:15 pm AEST. 

Geelong are looking to play in their third Grand Final in five years and contend for their 11th premiership.

Brisbane are attempting to make back-to-back Grand Finals and are seeking revenge in their race towards their fourth club flag. Fitzroy won eight flags from 1898 to 1944.

History is in Geelong's favour, as the Cats have won seven of the last ten matches between the two sides. 

Top players:

When these two sides have faced off in recent years, there has been a trend of top players having excelled in this particular matchup.

Dayne Zorko is one from the Lions.

Zorko starred in their last encounter at the Gabba, recording 26 disposals and two goals. He also collected the three votes in their Round 15 win against the Cats in 2021. 

Lachie Neale is another for the Lions.

Neale recorded 28 disposals in their last encounter in Round 6. The two-time Brownlow winner also recorded 25 disposals in their Round 19 clash in 2023. Neale also recorded a game-high 30 disposals in the Lions' Round 4 loss against the Cats in 2022.

For Geelong, Patrick Dangerfield has been excellent when these two sides play.

Dangerfield fought hard against the Lions in their Round 6 win this season, recording 20 disposals and six tackles. He also received 2 votes in the Round 19 loss against the Lions in 2023, where he kicked 2 goals and had 17 disposals. The 34-year-old will look to turn it on yet another time for Geelong.

Gryan Miers has also been an important player in this particular matchup against the Lions. 

In their most previous encounter back in Round 6, Miers collected 20 disposals and kicked a goal. He also recorded 22 disposals and 2 goals straight in their Preliminary Final victory against the Lions in 2022. Miers also had a strong outing when the two sides faced off in Round 4 of that year, collecting 25 disposals in their 10-point victory.

MCG record:

Brisbane have lost four of their last five games at the MCG.

Geelong have won three of their last five games at the MCG.

Preliminary Finals record:

Brisbane have played in seven Preliminary Finals and have won four of them.

Geelong have played in 11 Preliminary Finals and have won seven of them.

Finals record:

Geelong have won four of their last five finals, including a 71-point smashing against the Lions in the 2022 Preliminary Final.

Brisbane have also won four of their last five finals, unfortunately for them, the only one they lost was the 2023 Grand Final against the Pies.