Geelong vs Fremantle Preview & Prediction | 2026 AFL | Regular Season | Round 1

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Geelong aim to bounce from an Opening Round setback as they welcome a Fremantle side contesting their first fixture of the 2026 season.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Some matches are televised on Fox Sports channels

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ & Watch AFL / USA – Watch AFL

The prediction

Injury-hit Geelong fell to an Opening Round defeat to Gold Coast last week, and having also lost their final practice match in pre-season, the Cats will be desperate to claim their first win of the campaign here.

Runners-up in the Grand Final last year, the expectations remain high for the Cats, who defeated Fremantle in the equivalent fixture in 2025.

This is Fremantle's first match of the new season, and fans will be hoping that the first half of the campaign is not as inconsistent as it was in the previous year.

The visitors, who are dealing with a few key absentees themselves, will be expecting a strong Cats response and will surely put in a better display than they did on Round 1 last season. However, the edge still has to go with the hosts here, who should be fired up to put in a performance.

Geelong vs Fremantle tip: Geelong to win