OPPONENT: Hawthorn
VENUE: MCG
DATE AND TIME: Saturday, August 15, 7.20pm AEST
WEATHER FORECAST: Partly cloudy, 15 degrees
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Last time: Geelong 8.13 (61) def by Hawthorn 17.21 (123)
FIVE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
1. SOME MAGIC FROM STEVIE J
Steve Johnson will celebrate his 250th game this weekend, and it is fitting that he brings up the milestone against the Cats' fiercest rival during his time at the club. Johnson has produced some brilliant performances against the Hawks in the past, perhaps none greater than his 32 disposals and four goals in the heartbreaking preliminary final loss in 2013. We're backing Stevie to put on a great show on Saturday night.
Read: Stevie J: The lovable larrikin
Watch: The Stevie J show
2. THE CATS TO TURN THE TABLES
Geelong won 11 straight games against the Hawks after losing the 2008 Grand Final, but Hawthorn has regained the ascendancy in recent times. Alastair Clarkson's men broke their drought by winning the 2013 preliminary final by five points, and the Hawks have gone on to defeat the Cats in four of the five matches played between the teams since then, including a 10-goal win back in round one. But the Cats are confident that they can hit back on Saturday night against a team regarded as the competition's benchmark.
3. NO EASY SCORES
The Cats' team defence has been credited with powering the team's four-game winning streak. In fact, Geelong has had the stingiest defence in the competition in last four rounds, with the boys conceding a miserly 56.5 points per game. But Hawthorn has been No. 2 for points conceded during that time, so goals might be hard to come by this weekend.
4. MORE GOALS FROM TOM HAWKINS
The big 'Tomahawk' has enjoyed some magical moments against the Hawks, none greater than his goal after the siren to the win the game back in 2012. And after a few quiet games through the middle of the season, Hawkins has found his best form in recent weeks. He was among the match-winners last week against the Swans, booting four goals and easily accounting for experienced defender Ted Richards.
5. EVEN MORE LOVE FOR CAM GUTHRIE
The star Cats midfielder announced on Thursday that he has signed a new three-year contract with the club (watch his interview with CatsTV here), and the fans went wild …
@GeelongCats @CamGu3 Nice one Cam. Congrats.
— J Way (@judithway) August 13, 2015
this is great news! hope to see him play for many more years at the cats, favourite player by far x @GeelongCats @CamGu3
— sophie (@sophiexirwin) August 13, 2015
@CamGu3 great you have re-signed with @GeelongCats absolute gun keep charging in
— Peter Harris (@justpharris) August 13, 2015
@GeelongCats @CamGu3 Best news I've heard all day!
— Cath (@dreamon2014) August 13, 2015