Geelong's Isaac Smith and Jeremy Cameron celebrate a goal against Richmond during round eight, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

GEELONG has entered a request with the AFL to have next weekend's clash against Richmond, scheduled for the MCG, moved to GMHBA Stadium. 

The Cats have been fixtured to play their home match against the Tigers next Sunday at the MCG at 1.45pm AEST with the afternoon slot brought forward due to the Tokyo Olympics. 

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However, given the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria in recent days and the possibility of no crowds being able to attend matches next weekend, the Cats have asked the League to consider relocating the round 19 clash to GMHBA Stadium. 

The Cats returned to Victoria on Friday afternoon after dismantling Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Thursday night, a day after three games scheduled in Melbourne were moved to Queensland due to Victoria's COVID-19 situation. 

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:33

    Big Cohuna finds himself on report

    Fremantle's Josh Treacy goes in the book for this contact on Jed Bews

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  • 00:42

    Danger time for Dockers as Paddy plucks stunner

    Patrick Dangerfield hauls in a terrific mark in tough conditions and finishes off his work with a goal

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  • 00:51

    How does Hawkins get this much space?

    Tom Hawkins proves too big and too strong with two goals in short time

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  • 00:38

    Colyer slick as ever with this checkside

    Travis Colyer quickly throws the ball on his boot and snares a ripping goal

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  • 00:33

    Sonny pumped after pouncing on Cats' mishap

    Michael Walters breathes more life into the Dockers after pinching a great goal on his right foot

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  • 00:47

    Darcy hobbles off as sore knee persists

    Emerging ruckman Sean Darcy limps off the ground after looking very bothered by a persistent knee concern

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  • 00:43

    Skipper chips in with ripper to join party

    Joel Selwood tops off his impressive game with a brilliant goal in the last

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  • 00:38

    Danger fires to Miers for 'Hollywood' finish

    Patrick Dangerfield and Gryan Miers combine for a flashy goal in the last as the Cats continue their blitz

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  • 06:29

    Highlights: Fremantle v Geelong

    The Dockers and Cats clash in round 18

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  • 02:15

    Danger things, season 2021

    Paddy Dangerfield looks back to his scary best with a dominant performance from the midfield that included three goals and a handful of assists

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  • 08:02

    Longmuir suspects MCL damage for Darcy

    Justin Longmuir reveals emerging ruckman Sean Darcy may have cruelly suffered medial ligament damage in his side's disappointing loss

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  • 09:38

    Scott 'feeling good' after covering injury concerns

    Chris Scott says he was most pleased to see his side perform so strongly without the likes of gun forwards Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rohan

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Richmond's clash against Brisbane, originally scheduled for the MCG on Friday night, was moved to Metricon Stadium, however chief executive Brendon Gale told 3AW on Thursday he expected the Tigers would return to Victoria after the match. 

Three matches will proceed in Victoria this weekend – St Kilda-Port Adelaide (Marvel Stadium, Saturday), Melbourne-Hawthorn (MCG, Saturday) and Collingwood-Carlton (MCG, Sunday). 

The Cats have been vocal in recent years on their request to play as many home matches at GMHBA Stadium as possible. In 2021, nine of their 11 home matches have been fixtured to be played at their home base. 

"This is not really even a Geelong position, this just should be an industry-wide fact," coach Chris Scott said in 2019. 

"There are 11 home games and there are 11 away games. Every club should choose where they play their 11 home games."

Fans enter GMHBA Stadium ahead of an AFL Community Series match between Geelong and Essendon on March 6, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

Next weekend's clash will be the second Toyota AFL Grand Final re-match this season after the Cats accounted for the Tigers by a whopping 63 points at the MCG in round eight. 

Should the request be approved, it would be Richmond's first match at GMHBA Stadium since they lost to the Cats in round 21, 2017 before the Tigers claimed their drought-breaking flag.