AFL Round 18 continues Saturday when the GWS Giants host Geelong Cats in a twilight clash at ENGIE Stadium. Both teams are firmly in the hunt to play finals footy and this shapes as one of the matches of the round.
We bring you our full preview and expert tips for the Giants vs Cats match below, with odds thanks to Dabble!
GWS vs Geelong Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2025 Round 18
Can the Giants Win a Fourth Straight Game?
A terrific encounter between the GWS Giants and Geelong awaits with both teams vying to play in September. The Giants sit eighth with a 10-6 record and the Cats are currently fourth, boasting an 11-5 record and a very impressive 132.3% to boot. The Giants have found form with three straight wins, including victories over the reigning premier Brisbane Lions and then the Gold Coast Suns. Last week’s smashing of West Coast doesn’t tell us too much as the woeful Eagles never put up a fight. The Cats were dreadful at home when smashed by the Lions two games back and then belted an inexperienced Tigers outfit at home.
Big Ins for Both Teams
Both teams have had their teams bolstered with the inclusions of Lachie Whitfield and Jesse Hogan for the Giants and Bailey Smith for the Cats. All three players are crucial for their respective teams. Hogan has been a star up forward for the Giants since his arrival in 2021, winning the Coleman Medal in 2024 with 77 goals. He has booted 40 this season, including seven goals against the Cats in Round Nine as the Giants won by four points at GMHBA Stadium. Whitfield is averaging 28.1 disposals per game, and Smith is averaging a mammoth 32 disposals per game, which sees him third favourite for the Brownlow Medal.
Key Stats and Recent H2H
Matches between the Giants and Cats are often close with the last three clashes seeing the Giants winning by seven points or less. All three of those matches were played in Geelong. The Giants rely on handball, often starting in the back half, to propel their attack forward, and they average 32.5 more handballs per game than the Cats who prefer to go by foot. Geelong’s tackle pressure in the forward 50 could be vital as they lead the competition with 14.6 per game. The Giants in comparison are eighth in the comp with 10.9. Both teams are efficient in front of goal and it’s no surprise with the likes of Hogan (40.8 for the season), Aaron Cadman (26.17), Jeremy Cameron (52.21) and Shannon Neale (22.13) all having good seasons up forward.
Big, Big Sound – Here’s Our GWS vs Geelong Tip
The Giants have had the advantage over the Cats in recent encounters, and they get a chance to play them on their home deck where they are efficient in front of goal. The fact that they are underdogs is very appealing, and they are bolstered by their leading goalkicker Jesse Hogan returning. Finn Callaghan and Tom Green are both having sensational seasons and can make the Cats pay in the midfield.
GWS +5.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
GWS vs Geelong Prop Bet
Our Best Player Prop Bet: Cadman to Score 2+ Goals
With the return of Hogan, forward Aaron Cadman will know that the team’s leading goalkicker is going to receive plenty of attention from Cats defenders. Cadman has scored multiple goals in five of his last six matches and will look threatening throughout.
Aaron Cadman 2+ Goals
$2.20
GWS vs Geelong Same Game Multi
GWS +14.5: A little bit more insurance in case the Cats win by a couple of goals or less. It is usually an arm wrestle between these teams so want to have a slightly better handicap for the SGM.
Jeremy Cameron 2+ Goals: The Cats forward almost has the Coleman Medal in the bag, and he will be keen to kick a few against his former side.
Tom Green 25+ Disposals: The Giants ball magnet has had 25 or more disposals in all 15 games that he has played this season.
Bailey Smith 25+ Disposals: Just like Green, Smith has had 25 or more in every single game this year. Should be racking them up once again.
GWS vs Geelong Betting Odds & Match Info
Location: ENGIE Stadium, Sydney
Odds: GWS $2.12 vs Geelong $1.71
Where to Watch GWS vs Geelong?
You can watch Giants vs Cats live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Follow our GWS vs Geelong Tips at Dabble!
