Here's everything you need to know for our Round 5 clash with the Cats at GMHBA Stadium.

Where: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, VIC
When: Sunday, April 14 at 1pm AEST
Gates open: 11am. Check your ticket for your entry gate

Tickets

Tickets for Sunday's game against Geelong are still available!

Head here to grab yours.

Getting to the ground

Coaches will replace Geelong line trains on Sunday 14 April between Wyndham Vale and Waurn Ponds. Trains will run between Wyndham Vale and Southern Cross. Train passengers should allow an additional 40 minutes.

There will also be lane closures on the West Gate Freeway between M80 interchange and Millers Road. Drivers should allow an additional 10 minutes for their journeys.

Advice for footy fans travelling from Melbourne:

• V/Line will run special express coaches between Southern Cross and South Geelong before and after the game.
• Before the game, express coaches will depart from the Southern Cross Station coach bay at 10am.
• After the game, express coaches will depart from South Geelong at 3.45pm.
• These special services will run in addition to the usual coach replacement timetable in place on the day.
• Customer service staff will also be located at the Southern Cross and South Geelong station coach bays to assist passengers travelling to and from the game.
• If passengers are not able to catch the express coach service from Southern Cross, they can catch a Geelong Line train to Wyndham Vale, then a coach to South Geelong.

To find information on disruptions and replacement services, visit The Big Build Website to plan your journey ahead of time.

Parking

Very limited paid public parking will be available via the Park Crescent entrance (C7). Parking open from 10.15am.

Taxi and drop-off area

A drop-off area is available for patrons via Gate A off Kilgour Street. Upon arrival at the gate the traffic controller will direct vehicles to proceed via the internal roadway to the drop off area outside the Legends Plaza. This area is also to be utilised for Uber and taxi arrivals.

For more parking, ticketing, and stadium information regarding Sunday's match head here.

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Sunday's game will be broadcast live for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

>> Remember, you can grab a digital membership to get a discounted Kayo subscription! Find the membership package that suits you here

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.
 
Follow the @NMFCOfficial accounts on Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok to stay up to date with everything happening at the match and don't forget to use #Kangas.
 
Bring on Round 5! 

North Melbourne will have another tough task on its hands when it meets in-form Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in Round 5.

The Kangaroos are yet to get off the mark in 2024 following a heavy loss to the Lions last week, while the Cats continued to impress, downing the Bulldogs to remain undefeated.

Round 5, Geelong v North Melbourne

Where: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, VIC
When: Sunday, April 14 at 1pm AEST
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

The Cats are yet to be toppled this season and will return to their home deck after holding off a spirited Western Bulldogs side in Round 4 at the Adelaide Oval.

As a team, Geelong has been consistent in applying pressure across the season's opening month, ranking second in the competition for tackles per game (69.5)

After being named as an All-Australian in 2023, Gryan Miers continues to be dangerous in his role at half-forward. The No.32 is averaging seven score involvements and 1.5 goal assists per game this year and is one of the AFL's most effective kicks entering forward 50.

Christ Scott's team has won each of the past 11 match-ups against the Kangaroos, with North Melbourne's last win over the hoops coming back in 2015.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson, post-game v Brisbane: "We know we've got to put in the time and the hard yards and not lose faith. That's what was pleasing in the second half, we reset ourselves and made it much more of a contest."

Geelong senior coach Chris Scott post-game v Western Bulldogs: "We've gone in (to this season) optimistic based on our preparation and we'd like to have (Cam) Guthrie and (Patrick) Dangerfield in there. It hasn’t surprised me (starting 4-0) but it was hard to predict how well the combination of Jhye Clark, Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes, and Ollie Dempsey would go."

Running hot

Charlie Comben

In his first AFL game since Round 7, 2023, Comben was North Melbourne's best afield against Brisbane.

It was also the 22-year-old's first game at the level playing as a key defender, and he quickly showed his capability in the position, tallying 25 disposals, eight marks, and a game-high 13 intercept possessions.

This week poses another stern challenge for him, with seasoned forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron and talented youngster Ollie Henry lying in wait.

Milestone watch

Kangaroos midfielder Tom Powell is expected to run out for his 50th AFL game on Sunday, joining teammate Cam Zurhaar (103 games and counting) in reaching key milestones so far this season.

Selected with the 13th pick back in the 2020 National Draft, Powell has begun 2024 in strong fashion. He averaged 27.6 disposals across the first three rounds, before laying 15 tackles against the Lions last week.

His emergence has added another dynamic to North Melbourne's midfield, and he now looks to be a staple of the club's growing onball brigade.

Geelong has gone 5-0 for the first time since 2017 after dispatching North Melbourne in a 75-point win at the Cats' GMHBA Stadium fortress.

The hosts were never threatened after kicking the first three goals of Sunday afternoon's match, extending their lead at every break to win 21.13 (139) to 10.4 (64).

Geelong joins Greater Western Sydney as the only teams to remain undefeated after five rounds.

Superstar forward Jeremy Cameron snared six goals, making the most of Tom Hawkins' absence after the veteran forward was managed out of the side just an hour before the first bounce.

Speedster Max Holmes was tremendous with two goals and 24 possessions, young tall Shannon Neale (three goals) had the best outing of his six-game career, and Brad Close slotted four majors.

Geelong shared the love with five multiple goalkickers, as small forward Tyson Stengle was again lively with two goals after a welcome return to form in kicking four last week.

CATS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

There were few bright spots for North following its 70-point thumping by Brisbane last week, but young forward Eddie Ford took his chances with an equal career-high three goals.

Star forward Nick Larkey kicked two goals from tough positions as he continued to perform to a high standard.

Colby McKercher, North's first selection in last year's draft, was subbed out at quarter-time after a hit to the ribs in the first term. The first-year Roo was in visible discomfort and was sent to hospital for further assessment.

When the Cats last won the first five games of a season seven years ago, they made a preliminary final before losing to Adelaide.

After playing just one finalist from last year so far this season, Geelong will face a far sterner test next Saturday night when they take on the resurgent Brisbane at the Gabba.

But with captain Patrick Dangerfield and Hawkins still to return, Cats fans can start dreaming of another potential premiership to add to their 2022 crown.

The Kangaroos will set themselves for a shot at their first win of the season when they face fellow strugglers Hawthorn next Sunday.

No Tomahawk, no worries for rampaging Cats
Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins was a late withdrawal ahead of the clash, with the Cats opting to manage the veteran forward against the lowly Roos. Young forward Shannon Neale slotted seamlessly into the side as Hawkins' replacement. The 21-year-old, who had only kicked one goal in his five career games at the top level, rose to the occasion with three goals and a further six score involvements. But Neale wasn't the only one to fire up forward in Hawkins' absence, with partner in crime Jeremy Cameron kicking six goals, including four in the first half, as he ran rings around North's depleted backline.

Sheezel delights again in a grim day for Roos
There wasn't a lot for the Roos to celebrate, but Rising Star winner Harry Sheezel continues to be a rare shining light. The 19-year-old fought valiantly and was a clear best afield for his side in the thumping loss. Sheezel finished with 39 disposals (including a career-high 12 in the opening term alone) at 82 per cent efficiency, 15 marks, 525m gained and he kicked a goal late to top off his day. 

Cats' hot streak rolls on
The victory ensured Geelong continued its remarkable winning streak over North Melbourne. The Cats have now reigned supreme in their past 12 games against the Kangaroos, a streak stretching back to 2016. It's the second-longest current winning streak in the League with Port Adelaide's dominance over Gold Coast currently sitting at 14 games. North has a chance to end the rot later in the season when it meets Geelong again in Round 20.

GEELONG                       5.2    12.6     15.10    21.13 (139)  
NORTH MELBOURNE     3.1     4.3      6.4        10.4 (64)  

GOALS
Geelong: Cameron 6, Close 4, Neale 3, Holmes 2, Stengle 2, Blicavs, Dempsey, Henry, O'Connor
North Melbourne: Ford 3, Drury 2, Larkey 2, Curtis, Davies-Uniacke, Sheezel

BEST
Geelong: Cameron, Holmes, Miers, Stengle, Bowes, Stewart
North Melbourne: Sheezel, Xerri, Scott, Ford, Davies-Uniacke

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
North Melbourne: McKercher (ribs)

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Tom Hawkins, replaced in the selected side by Shannon Neale
North Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Jhye Clark (replaced Mark Blicavs in the fourth quarter)
North Melbourne: Charlie Lazzaro (replaced Colby McKercher in the second quarter)

Crowd: TBC at GMHBA Stadium