Preview: Geelong v Hawthorn
VENUE & TIME: MCG, Saturday 25 July, 2.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 142, Geelong 74, Hawthorn 67, Drawn: 1
LAST TIME: Geelong 15.21 (111) def Hawthorn 16.7 (103), Round 1 2009 at the MCG
WALKING WOUNDED: Of the five key Cats facing fitness tests this week Jimmy Bartel (hip) and James Kelly (hamstring) are considered more likely to get through than David Johnson (calf), Steve Johnson (hip) or Tom Harley (knee). Brad Ottens remains 2-3 weeks away as he has for much of the season while Nathan Djerrkura should have recovered from his corked thigh in time to be available for Round 18. A fitness test awaits Hawthorn ruckman Robert Campbell while Garry Moss is 2-3 weeks away and Mark Williams 5-6. All three are recovering from knee injuries. There's a big TBC next to Trent Croad (foot) and Stuart Dew on the club's official injury list. The season is over for Hawks Tim Boyle (knee), Rick Ladson (knee), Mitch Thorpe (shoulder) and Clinton Young (hip).
FORM: The second-placed Cats rebounded from successive losses to St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions - their only defeats for the season - to score a routine victory over Melbourne at Skilled Stadium last Saturday. The Hawks claimed their most significant scalp for 2009 when they crushed Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday night. They're sitting 10th on the ladder at 8-8.
WHO'S HOT: Joel Selwood was outstanding with 31 disposals and nine tackles in the Cats' big win over Melbourne outshining even Gary Ablett who racked up a lazy 40 touches. Coming off his match-winning four final-term goals against North in Round 15, Lance Franklin went one better with a bag of five for Hawthorn against Collingwood. The swagger is back and the Hawks will fancy their chances of contesting in September if 'Buddy' can hold his form.
WE THINK: The Cats haven't needed any external motivation at all to win any of their 16 matches so far this season. They just go out, do what comes naturally and generally get the job done. This week, however, there's a special incentive - the opportunity to derail the Hawks' run to the finals - a small payback for what took place on September 27 last year. Mark Thompson agreed it would get a mention in the lead-up this week, but he won't need to. The Hawks have an unusual external incentive of their own in that three of them, Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughead and Brad Sewell have milestones to celebrate. The Hawks have what it takes to upset Geelong but will need to be at their unsociable best. The Cats can get by on something less. Geelong by 16 points.