Preview: Hawthorn v Geelong

VENUE & TIME: MCG, Friday 25 July, 7.40pm AEST.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 139, Geelong 72, Hawthorn 66, Drawn 1.
LAST TIME: Hawthorn 10.16 (76) def. Geelong 9.18 (72), Round 4, 2007 at Aurora Stadium.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Cats have already confirmed Gary Ablett (ankle) and Cameron Ling (cheekbone) will not face the Hawks as a result of injuries sustained against Fremantle in Round 15. David Wojcinski faces a test on his Achilles, and Tom Hawkins will miss three weeks with a foot injury. Stuart Dew (hamstring) and Ben McGlynn (quadriceps) are available but veteran Shane Crawford is still a wait-and-see prospect with his knee tendonitis. Clinton Young will have his back assessed later in the week.

FORM: The Cats have not been beaten since being trounced by Collingwood in Round 9, their only loss for the season. Since then they have won in three different states, the most impressive being their thrashing of the Western Bulldogs last Saturday at home which placed them six points clear at the top of the ladder. The third-placed Hawks have lost three of their past seven matches after opening the season in a blaze of glory. In that period, only efforts against Adelaide and Sydney were befitting of a premiership contender.

WHO'S HOT: Matthew Scarlett finished with the stats of a midfielder last week. He touched the ball 32 times, which is remarkable for a full-back, though his cause was helped by the Bulldogs' thoughtless forays forward. Wouldn't it be great if he lined up next to Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin? Luke Hodge starred in Hawthorn's loss last week to St Kilda. He finished with 23 touches and two goals but had little support from his team-mates.

WE THINK: Hawthorn's indifferent recent form and injuries to Ablett and Ling have taken a bit of gloss away from what has been the most eagerly-awaited home and away clash since Carlton took on Essendon late in 2000. But that won't stop 90,000 fans from flooding the MCG this Friday night. What they will see is a red hot Geelong side eager to swat away another challenger. Ablett and Ling's absence hurts but the Cats' midfield still contains plenty of stars who possess a willingness to link, run, sacrifice and most importantly play as a team. The Hawks' strength is their forward line. It's been rare this season that both Jarryd Roughead and Franklin have had off nights together. Both will have to be on song if the Hawks are to trouble Geelong. At this stage the Cats are head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. But that does not mean that will be the case in two months time. Geelong by 33 points.