The club first established itself in the VFA by winning seven premierships, making it the most successful VFA club leading up to the formation of the VFL in 1897.

The club won a further six premierships, before enduring a 44-year waiting period until it won its next premiership, a record 119-point victory in the 2007 Grand Final.

Kardinia Park is regarded as a proverbial graveyard for teams playing against Geelong who did not lose a single match played at the venue between 26 August 2007 and 27 August 2011.

The club trains here during the season; it also trains at its alternate training venue, Deakin University's Elite Sport Precinct, which features an MCG-sized oval and is used by the club in the pre-season, when Kardinia Park is being used for other events.

The Cats have also won nine McClelland Trophies, a record shared with Essendon.