IN THE past five seasons, this has developed into one of the great modern rivalries. Last time the Cats and the Dockers met at Simonds Stadium, on the opening weekend of last year's finals series, the boys from the west scored what was probably the greatest victory in their club's history. That day, Freo antagonised Geelong's best players, with tagger Ryan Crowley playing the role of villain to perfection while shutting down Steve Johnson. This time around, there is again plenty to play for. Both sides need to win to remain on track for a top-four finish, so it should be another heated and intense clash.



WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Saturday, August 9, 7.40pm AEST

LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2014, Fremantle 13.18 (96) d Geelong 9.10 (64) at Patersons Stadium
2QF, 2013, Fremantle 12.15 (87) d Geelong 9.18 (72) at Simonds Stadium
R14, 2013, Geelong 11.19 (85) d Fremantle 7.2 (44) at Simonds Stadium
2EF, 2012, Fremantle 14.12 (96) d Geelong 11.14 (80) at MCG
R1, 2012, Fremantle 16.9 (105) d Geelong 15.11 (101) at Patersons Stadium


THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle has won four of its past five games against Geelong. Overall, however, the Cats have won 21 clashes between these teams, while the Dockers have won 11.

2. Earlier this season, the Dockers beat the Cats by 32 points at Patersons Stadium in what was Matthew Pavlich's 300th game. Pavlich and Hayden Ballantyne booted three goals each, while David Mundy was best on ground in the midfield with 34 possessions.

3. Fremantle is ranked equal-third for goalkicking accuracy at 50.4 per cent, while Geelong has struggled, ranked equal 16th at 46.6 per cent.

4. Not in the Dockers' favour is their popularity with the umpires. They are ranked 18th when it comes to free kicks for, with an average only of 14.8. Geelong gets the 11th-most free kicks per game, an average of 16.4.

5. Only two clubs have beaten Geelong at Simonds Stadium since the end of the 2007 season: the Sydney Swans and Fremantle.

6. Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan leapt into the top-100 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, after a three-goal performance against North Melbourne in round 19.  

Prediction: Geelong by 14 points