The ongoing development of Kardinia Park is reportedly set to see Geelong scheduled to play a bevy of home games in the second half of the 2023 AFL fixture.
The Cats' home ground of GMHBA Stadium has undergone construction since the end of last season as redevelopment plans to have the Geelong venue surpass a capacity of 40,000 fans continues.
Works on a new 14,000-capacity stand placed at the northern end of the ground isn't scheduled to be finalised until midway through next year, meaning Geelong may play an array of home fixtures away from GMHBA Stadium to start their premiership defence.
According toย The Herald Sun,ย the Cats are hopeful of playing a total of nine matches at Kardinia Park next season, which would come in the second half of the fixture.
Geelong would see their two other home fixtures situated at the MCG against a pair of powerhouse Victorian clubs to get the best out of their matches away from their traditional home venue.
The situation could see the Cats unfurl their premiership flag at the MCG, however a decision on which venue to do so is reportedly yet to be made.
Should they wait to reveal the flag at GMHBA Stadium, the club could be waiting until at least June when the redevelopment plans are currently scheduled to be finished.
The increased venue size would also see Geelong potentially return to hosting finals matches at Kardinia Park given the increase in allowed attendance, however matches against fellow Victorian sides may be required at the MCG.
The AFL recently gave Richmond's women's side the green light to play their home semi-final against North Melbourne at Punt Road instead of a larger venue like Ikon Park, which would have held a significantly larger crowd.
The 2023 AFL fixture is expected to be released next month, with the opening 15 rounds of next year's campaign to be revealed.
Rounds 16 onwards won't be finalised until midway through next season, giving the AFL flexibility for the schedule while still being able to scarp the floating fixture model.
Reports this week revealed Carlton and Richmond are set to open the 2023 season on a Thursday night, with the AFL to abandon the grand final 'rematch' fixture as the curatin raiser on the Wednesday night, as seen this year.
While seen as unlikely, Geelong and Sydney could still go head-to-head in the opening round of the 2023 season.
