VENUE & TIME: MCG, Saturday 27 September, 2.30pm AEST.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 140, Geelong 73, Hawthorn 66, Drawn 1.
LAST TIME: Geelong 12.16 (88) def. Hawthorn 11.11 (77), Round 17, 2008 at the MCG.

WALKING WOUNDED: Paul Chapman, who hurt his hamstring in the first week of the finals, is the Cats' only injury concern. Coach Mark Thompson said Chapman trained strongly earlier in the week, leaving the match committee with a selection headache. Mathew Stokes, David Wojcinski, James Kelly and Tom Lonergan all can be forgiven for tossing and turning in their sleep. The Hawks are confident key pair Trent Croad (foot) and Luke Hodge (ribs) will both be fit. Their selection dilemma is whether to recall Simon Taylor at the expense of young ruckman Brent Renouf.

FORM: The Cats made it 42 wins from their past 44 games last Friday night but it was not their most impressive victory. Just like they were in the corresponding game last year, the Cats were given a huge run for their money, this time by the Western Bulldogs. Was it a case of the Cats struggling after the week off or are some cracks in the armour starting to appear? The Hawks were ruthless in their victory over the St Kilda. In their two finals this year, they have won by a combined total of 105 points to reaffirm their standing as Geelong's greatest danger to back-to-back flags.

WHO'S HOT: Andrew Mackie played one of his best games of his career last week. Stationed at half-back, the 24-year-old repelled numerous forward thrusts from the Bulldogs, finding the ball 29 times. The Cats will again look to Mackie to provide plenty of drive this week. Mark Williams proved the forward wildcard for the Hawks last week. Playing as the third string marking option, Williams made a valuable contribution with his five goals. It was timely as Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, despite kicking four goals, were both shaded.

WE THINK: If this game is as tasty as the enticing entree these teams provided in Round 17, then bring on the main course. On that occasion, both sides were missing key players but still staged a match worthy of a final. The Cats did not have key midfielders Gary Ablett and Cameron Ling and defender Darren Milburn, while the Hawks were minus Shane Crawford and Stuart Dew. On face value, the Cats would have more room