FLAG UNFURL ON HOLD

Cats willing to wait for KP homecoming as date with Pies set

GEELONG will not unfurl its 2022 premiership flag in front of a likely record 90,000 fans at a home clash at the MCG with Collingwood in round 1 next year.

With the northern grandstand at GMHBA Stadium still under construction and not due to be finished until at least May, the Cats have been in talks with the AFL about backending its home games in 2023.

That could see the club wait months into the season before treating its fans to the traditional premiership flag unveiling – which usually takes place at the winning club’s first home game of the next season.

But the Cats are willing to wait and it’s understood that the premiership celebrations and ceremony will take place at the first game at the club’s true home ground at GMHBA Stadium, instead of holding two unfurlings in Melbourne and Geelong.

Having beaten the Magpies in two classics in 2022, the Cats will be out for more to kick off the 2023 season on Friday, March 17 at 7.40pm.

Carlton and Richmond will host the season opener the night before at the MCG.

The AFL dropped its round 1 fixture on Sunday, with the draw for rounds 2-15 set to be released next week.

Geelong drew 52,974 fans to an away MCG match against Collingwood in round 3 before the Magpies began an incredible winning run to the finals.

The qualifying final classic later in the season between the two teams pulled in a crowd of 91,525 and Cats chief executive Steve Hocking is eyeing a similar attendance in March.

The blockbuster could also be ex-Magpie Ollie Henry’s first game in the hoops, coming up against his old side.

Geelong’s has never topped 90,000 in a home-and-away match, its best against Essendon at the MCG in 1989, when 87,653 fans watched on.

“Our members and supporters will be thrilled to see our home fixture kick-off in a big way with a blockbuster match in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG,” Hocking said.

“It’s a privilege to be given the opportunity to host the Friday night match of the opening round and if the last time we played Collingwood is anything to go by, fans should expect to see another exciting contest between both teams.”

Hocking also said moving the first bounce forward to 10 minutes earlier than most Friday night matches would help travelling Cats fans.

Geelong pushed hard for the AFL to move the game earlier to make it easier for supporters.

“We appreciate the AFL and broadcast partners supporting the earlier 7.40pm start time, which is a positive for our members and fans travelling from Geelong,” he said.