MATCH DETAILS
Hawthorn v Geelong, MCG, 7.40pm, Friday
Fine and partly cloudy. Light to moderate northerly winds. Min 5, Max 15.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Hawthorn 10.16 (76) def Geelong 9.18 (72), round four, 2007 at Aurora Stadium, Launceston.
FORM GUIDE
The Cats have been irresistible since they were touched up by Collingwood in round nine. Mark Thompson's side continues to flex its muscles, running away from the second-placed Bulldogs last week to win by 10 goals. There appears to be few chinks in their armour. Tom Harley and Matthew Scarlett lead a defence that a week ago kept the high-scoring Dogs to a season-low tally, while the loss of Gary Ablett and Cameron Ling made little difference.
The Hawks have struggled to keep their momentum going from early in the season, but they still sit comfortably third on the ladder. Two losses in the past month have come against teams desperate to win - and accomplished opposition, too - so their form hasn't fallen away drastically. But they're not playing as well as they were earlier in the year.
Last week a red-hot St Kilda got them with a dynamic second half, however there’s no need for Hawthorn fans to hit the panic button.
RANDOM FACTS
* Friday night’s meeting between the two clubs is just the third time Geelong and Hawthorn have met at the MCG since the famous 1989 Grand Final.* In seven matches against the Hawks since 2003, Geelong midfielder Joel Corey has averaged 26 disposals.
* From three career matches against the Cats, Hawk forward Lance Franklin has booted just 3.6 but has averaged 15 disposals a game.
KEY MATCH UPS
Matthew Scarlett v Jarryd Roughead
Geelong champion Matthew Scarlett is almost certain to get a crack at Lance “Buddy” Franklin at some stage. But one can expect him to spend a fair chunk of the match on Roughead, the more robust Hawk who spends as much time close to goal. With Franklin more likely to use his athletic ability to chase a kick, Scarlett might try to use his own aerobic capacity to run off Roughead and create. But he must watch the star goalkicker closely, for while he plays second fiddle to Buddy, he does so very well.
Cameron Mooney v Trent Croad
Mooney was instrumental in the Cats’ big win last week, taking Brian Lake out of his comfort zone and working him further afield. Against the Hawks, he will likely look to expose Croad closer to goal. With his tail up after 13 marks last week, the in-form Geelong star will be matched for strength by the hulking Hawk and will need to use his agility on the lead if he is to win his battle.
Paul Chapman v Campbell Brown
Few defenders have the physical strength to match it with Chapman but Brown, the hardnut Hawk, just might. With Croad likely to get Mooney and Gilham set for Lonergan, Brown’s assignment could be one of the Cats’ mid-sized guns. Chapman is a likely option, and it would be an enthralling battle between two of the league’s toughest competitors.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Geelong coach Mark Thompson
"Everyone’s been waiting a while for us two to play, so there’s pressure on both.
"You just know that now it really is the pointy end of the season and our players are quite motivated and looking forward to it."
"It's a significant challenge, because they've been on top of the ladder of such a long period of time now, and they're a great opponent.
"But funnily enough, it's no bigger challenge than the challenge of trying to get over St Kilda last week, which we were unable to do, or the week before against Sydney.
"Every team's got their strengths and weaknesses, it's just unfortunate that the Cats have got fewer weaknesses than we'd like."
