The Cats finished the home-and-away season with a 13–9 win–loss record and placed eighth on the league's ladder, qualifying for the 2018 finals series as a result.

[11] Following the retirements of premiership players Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie at the end of the 2017 season,[12] Geelong delisted Josh Cowan, Matthew Hayball and Tom Ruggles from their playing list;[13] although the Cats committed to redrafting Hayball via the upcoming rookie draft if he was not offered a contract by another club prior.

[14] Geelong also traded Darcy Lang to Carlton in exchange for pick 58 and a swap of the clubs' fourth-round selections in 2018.

[20] This was despite Geelong coach Chris Scott stating prior to the free agency period that he hoped Motlop would remain at the club.

[21] Geelong's trade period was labelled a "significant gamble" by Josh Elliott of The Roar due to Ablett's age as a 33-year-old.

[22] Nathan Schmook of AFL.com.au rated the Cats' trading a 7 out of 10, given the club held picks 22 and 24 in the draft and "will back themselves to find quality talent" with these selections.

[28] In addition to redrafting Hayball (pick 30), Geelong also selected former Essendon and Western Bulldogs player Stewart Crameri (16) in the 2018 rookie draft.

[30] There was seven players who played in their first AFL game: Ryan Abbott, Lachie Fogarty, Jack Henry, Jamaine Jones, Tim Kelly, Quinton Narkle and Esava Ratugolea.

[34] The fixture for the 2018 season was confirmed by the AFL in October 2017; Geelong were scheduled to play nine games at GMHBA Stadium.

[49] Although uncertain of the impact of Gary Ablett's return to Geelong, Peter Ryan of The Age predicted that the Cats would "qualify high" for the finals due to having "nine home games and a quality midfield".

[54][55] Geelong began the regular season on 25 March against Melbourne at the MCG, with the Cats narrowly winning by three points.

[56] In the lead-up to the following week's match against Hawthorn on Easter Monday, there was anticipation about Ablett, Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield taking the field together for the first time, with the midfielders labelled the "holy trinity".

[58] Travelling to newly-opened Optus Stadium in round 3, the Cats lost to West Coast by 15 points; the crowd of 54,535 was the highest attendance for a sports event in Western Australia.

[61][62] Geelong won three of their next five matches, with the round 6 game against Sydney their sole loss at GMHBA Stadium for the season.

[64] Geelong won their next two games, including an 85-point win against Gold Coast; the Cats subsequently recorded an 18-point loss in round 13 to reigning premiers Richmond.

[3] Tom Atkins was the sole captain, having co-captained the prior season with Jake Edwards and Ben Moloney.

[88][89] The reserves team finished the regular season with a 13–5 win–loss record and placed third on the league's ladder, qualifying for the finals series as a result.