SUMMARY
With the top two teams on the ladder involved, who have lost only three games between them, this shapes as one of the games of the season. The Hawks have won a club record 12 games on the trot since they were beaten by the Cats in round one. Geelong has not been quite as impressive, but the Cats' effort in thrashing Fremantle last weekend was a great response after their shock loss to the Brisbane Lions in round 13.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday July 6, 7.40pm

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds

LAST FIVE TIMES
R1, 2013, Geelong 13.15 (93) d Hawthorn 12.14 (86) at the MCG
R19, 2012, Geelong 18.10 (118) d Hawthorn 17.14 (116) at the MCG
R2, 2012, Geelong 14.8 (92) d Hawthorn 13.12 (90) at the MCG
QF, 2011, Geelong 14.14 (98) d Hawthorn 9.13 (67) at the MCG
R12, 2011, Geelong 13.10 (88) d Hawthorn 13.5 (83) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Cats have won a club record 10 consecutive clashes with Hawthorn since early 2009. The Hawks' last victory over Geelong was in the 2008 Grand Final.

2. Since 2009, eight games between these teams have been decided by less than 10 points and five have been decided by less than a goal.
3. Hawthorn is ranked second this season for contested possessions, averaging 151.8 per game. Geelong is ranked eighth, averaging 145.4.
4. It's first versus second on the ladder and first versus second when it comes to marks inside 50. Hawthorn is ranked first, averaging 15 marks inside 50 per game, while the Cats are second, averaging 14.5 per game.

5. Geelong has struggled at stoppages in 2013. The Cats are ranked last for clearances, averaging just 32.3 per game. Hawthorn is ranked seventh, averaging 38.6 per game.

6. Both clubs have a player in the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Ratings. Geelong skipper Joel Selwood is fifth on the player ratings ladder, while injured Hawthorn forward Cyril Rioli is sixth.