Corio Oval — Geelong’s Lost Waterfront First Home

Corio Oval was Geelong’s first home, and it’s now mostly a memory. A heritage cricket-and-footy ground on the shore of Corio Bay in central Geelong, hosting the Cats from the club’s foundation in 1859 (then the Geelong Football Club, later in the VFL from 1897) until 1940, Corio Oval is the most-forgotten major Cats venue in history. The Cats won six VFL premierships during the Corio Oval era (1925, 1931, 1937; with 1951, 1952, 1963 coming after the move to Kardinia Park). The ground was demolished in the 1940s; the site is now part of the Geelong waterfront precinct.

The History: 1859 and Geelong’s Foundation

Corio Oval has been a sporting venue since 1859. Located on the shore of Corio Bay in central Geelong, the ground was the home of the Geelong Football Club from inception. The club joined the VFL in 1897 (a foundational member); Corio Oval became the Cats’ VFL home from 1897 to 1940.

The venue was modest by modern standards:

• Capacity: ~20,000 at peak
• Wooden grandstands
• Open grass embankments
• The waterfront location with Corio Bay views

The Footy: Cats’ Early VFL Era

Geelong played at Corio Oval from 1897 to 1940 — 43 years of continuous VFL home-ground occupation. The Cats won three VFL premierships during the Corio Oval era — 1925, 1931, 1937. The ground hosted the early Geelong dynasty before the move to Kardinia Park (now GMHBA Stadium) in 1941.

The pitch was ~150m × 130m. The wind off Corio Bay was a known factor in afternoon games — a quirk that would be inherited by Kardinia Park (the wind off Corio Bay continues to make Kardinia/GMHBA difficult for visiting teams).

The Move to Kardinia Park

By 1941, Corio Oval’s corporate facilities were inadequate for VFL standards and the surrounding waterfront precinct was being redeveloped. Geelong relocated to Kardinia Park (now GMHBA Stadium) in 1941, where the Cats continue to play today. The Corio Oval site was sold for redevelopment; demolition began in the late 1940s.

Famous Moments

• 1925 Cats’ first VFL premiership — built on Corio Oval home form.
• 1931 second VFL premiership.
• 1937 third VFL premiership — Cats’ last under the Corio Oval era.
• The 1925 Geelong vs Collingwood Grand Final qualifier at Corio Oval.
• 1940 farewell fixture — Geelong’s final VFL match at Corio Oval before relocating to Kardinia Park.

The Site Today

The Corio Oval site is now part of the Geelong waterfront precinct. The pitch is gone; the grandstands are gone; the heritage features are gone. A modest memorial commemorates the venue. Walking past the Geelong waterfront today, you’d never know what happened there.

Trivia for the Pub

• Geelong played at Corio Oval for 43 unbroken VFL years (1897–1940).
• The Cats won three VFL premierships during the Corio Oval era (1925, 1931, 1937).
• The ground was demolished in the late 1940s.
• The site is now part of the Geelong waterfront precinct.
• The wind off Corio Bay — a Cats home-ground advantage — was inherited by Kardinia Park.
• The Cats’ early VFL identity was substantially formed at Corio Oval.
• A modest memorial commemorates the ground.

The Rumours (Posthumous)

The persistent rumour: major Corio Oval heritage memorial. Has been campaigned for; modest markers exist; a major memorial has not been funded.

The other rumour: Corio Oval revival as a community venue. The site is now too developed for any major sporting use.

The Verdict

Corio Oval is Geelong’s lost first home. The Cats’ early VFL premiership era was built here; the wind that defines Kardinia Park today was first felt here; and the foundation of one of Australia’s most successful footy clubs was laid here. The site is now waterfront housing and recreation. Walk past the Geelong waterfront and take a moment — you’re walking on Cats history. Pour a stubby for Corio Oval.