SUMMARY
Geelong will enter this contest smarting following back-to-back losses to Collingwood and Gold Coast, two sides the Cats were expected to overcome after winning their first five games of the season. The Cats were well below their best against the Suns last weekend but come up against an out of sorts Essendon line-up, which has lost four of its past five games. The Bombers showed some good signs against Fremantle last week in Perth, and led by as much as 27 points, but were overrun in the second half by the fast-finishing Dockers. It came as one of three games the club has played in 13 days, so a slightly longer break may help John Worsfold's men recapture some of the energy and enthusiasm that was evident in the opening two weeks of the year. Bombers veteran James Kelly will play his 300th career game, fittingly against the side he won three flags with and played 273 games with.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, May 13, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2016, Geelong Cats 15.10 (100) d Essendon 4.10 (34) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2016, Geelong Cats 9.18 (72) d Essendon 6.6 (42) at the MCG
R10, 2015, Geelong Cats 19.8 (122) d Essendon 7.11 (53) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2014, Geelong Cats 13.11 (89) d Essendon 11.14 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2013, Geelong Cats 17.11 (113) d Essendon 11.19 (85) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Essendon was held to its lowest score at Etihad Stadium when the sides last played. At half-time, the Bombers were stuck on 0.4 and they finished on just 34 points under the roof.
2. It will be a contrast in styles on Saturday night. Geelong is ranked first in the competition for handballs (averaging 197.6 a game). Essendon is a high kicking team, ranking second with an average of 227.4 a game.
3. Geelong has dominated Essendon over a long period of time, winning the past six games (three of which were by more than 60 points). The Cats have got the cream over the Bombers 12 of the past 13 encounters.
4. In the past three weeks, Essendon has used 29 players but only 13 have played in all three games. Geelong has used 29 for the entire season.
5. The Bombers continue to struggle to take the ball inside 50. They are ranked second last in the competition for entries (47.3 on average a game), which is only just ahead of the last-placed Brisbane Lions. Essendon has lost the inside-50 count in every game.
6. Tom Hawkins' excellent start to the season is reflected in his jump in the Schick AFL Player Ratings standings. The Geelong goalkicker has moved from No.56 at the start of the year to now be placed inside the top-50 (No.50 overall).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … David Zaharakis
It has been a quiet start to the season from Zaharakis, who is averaging just 18 disposals a game so far. He had little influence last week against Fremantle but his team needs him to be back at his running and zippy best.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 18 points
