SUMMARY
After easily accounting for the Brisbane Lions at home last weekend, Geelong will again play in the familiar surrounds of Simonds Stadium, while the Sydney Swans make the journey south having comfortably beaten Adelaide. Both sides will be using Saturday night's encounter as a measure of their finals credentials, but the game will carry extra significance as Swans star Adam Goodes returns from his self-imposed break. The dual Brownlow medallist was rested from last Saturday's match against the Crows after being the target of constant booing this season. All eyes will be on how Goodes is greeted by the Geelong faithful.
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Saturday August 8, 7.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2015, Sydney Swans 18.12 (120) d Geelong 11.11 (77) at ANZ Stadium
R11, 2014, Sydney Swans 22.16 (148) d Geelong 5.8 (38) at the SCG
R22, 2013, Geelong 13.14 (92) d Sydney Swans 7.6 (48) at Simonds Stadium
R4, 2013, Geelong 19.10 (124) d Sydney Swans 16.7 (103) at the SCG
R23, 2012, Geelong 17.10 (112) d Sydney Swans 11.12 (78) at Simonds Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Luke Parker starred for the Swans in their win earlier this season at ANZ Stadium, finishing with 31 disposals, 11 marks and five goals.
2. The sides meet for the 217th time. The Cats have won 119 games to the Swans' 97, with both teams on four wins each since 2011.
3. Geelong has won nine of the last 10 clashes between the sides at Simonds Stadium. The Swans' only win at the venue since 2000 was in round 23, 2011.
4. The Swans have kicked an average score of 93 points at home this season, but on the road that average drops to 77 points per game.
5. No team handballs more than the Swans. They are ranked first in the competition, averaging 182.4 per game.
6. Steven Motlop was the third highest points scorer in the Official AFL Player Ratings last week (24.6). He is No.95 overall – the seventh highest Cat.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … the Simonds Stadium crowd. Although the game is crucial for both teams' finals aspirations, the reception Goodes receives in his return will be the main talking point. Geelong supporters can take a stand and send a powerful message to the football and broader community. There is no better time to promote a culture that embraces social inclusion than in this weekend's Multicultural Round.
PREDICTION: Geelong by seven points
