SUMMARY
Two undefeated teams going head to head; one with almost a full list to choose from and the other without two key players thanks to fresh suspensions. The Cats are fairly healthy going into this clash, with just Cam Guthrie and Scott Selwood from their regular team unlikely to play, but the Demons have suffered a hit with Jordan Lewis and Jesse Hogan to sit out after accepting three- and two-week sanctions respectively. It's a significant blow for the Demons, who have won their first two games for the first time since 2005, especially when coming up against the damaging midfield brigade of Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Daniel Menzel, and in-form half-back pair Zach Tuohy and Andrew Mackie.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, April 8, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R23, 2016, Geelong 24.11 (155) d Melbourne 6.8 (44) at Simonds Stadium
R12, 2015, Melbourne 18.5 (113) d Geelong 13.11 (89) at Simonds Stadium
R17, 2014, Geelong 14.18 (102) d Melbourne 5.6 (36) at the MCG
R16, 2013, Geelong 13.20 (98) d Melbourne 4.6 (30) at Simonds Stadium
R6, 2012, Geelong 17.17 (119) d Melbourne 11.10 (76) at Simonds Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. This will be the first time these teams have met at Etihad Stadium. The Demons won there in round one, but before that had notched just one victory at the venue since 2007.
2. The last time they met, the Cats won pretty much everything. It was Paul Roos' last game as coach, Patrick Dangerfield had 32 touches and Tom Hawkins booted six goals.
3. After two rounds, the Demons are leading the competition in possessions with an average of 438 a game. In comparison, the Cats are 12th with 359.5.
4. The Demons have also been marginally the better side in clearances. They're ranked equal eighth with 37 per game, while the Cats are equal 14th with 35.5.
5. There has been a strong uncontested-possession style about the Demons so far this season. They're ranked first in this area with an average of 296.5 per game, while the Cats are 12th with 216.5 per game.
6. It will be interesting to see if the Cats bring in Zac Smith to face Max Gawn, who is the highest-ranked Demon at No.10 (up from 13) in the Schick AFL Player Ratings.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR … Tom Hawkins
The big Cat booted four goals last week, but was largely beaten by Robbie Tarrant and gave away five free kicks to three-quarter time that coach Chris Scott labelled "really sloppy, undisciplined and blatant". Scott encouraged Hawkins to adopt the mentality of a key defender to help overcome his issues, which he'll want to do this week if the Cats are to take full advantage of the two large holes left in the Demons' line up courtesy of the Match Review Panel.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 15 points.
