SUMMARY
After spending the whole week on the Gold Coast, third-placed Geelong returns to more familiar surrounds having easily accounted for the Brisbane Lions by 85 points. Hawthorn, meanwhile, is fresh from a pulsating draw with Greater Western Sydney in Launceston, just a week after the Cats themselves couldn't be separated with the premiership fancies. Midfield generals Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Mitchell will be worth the price of admission alone, with the latter setting a new record last week when he became the first player to collect 30 or more touches in 12 successive games. While the Cats will start favourites in Saturday's clash, the 13th-placed Hawks will be fighting to remain in the finals hunt and have the potential to cause a major headache, as they honour former skipper and club great Luke Hodge in his 300-game milestone.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, July 15, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2017, Geelong 20.14 (134) d Hawthorn 6.12 (48) at the MCG
2QF, 2016, Geelong 12.13 (85) d Hawthorn 12.11 (83) at the MCG
R1, 2016, Geelong 18.8 (116) d Hawthorn 12.14 (86) at the MCG
R20, 2015, Hawthorn 19.7 (121) d Geelong 12.13 (85) at the MCG
R1, 2015, Hawthorn 17.21 (123) d Geelong 8.13 (61) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Geelong smashed Hawthorn by 86 points earlier this season after kicking 11 goals to two in the final quarter. It was the Cats' biggest win over the Hawks since 1949.
2. The Cats are one of the highest scoring sides this season, averaging 102 points per game and kicking over 100 points on seven occasions. The Hawks are averaging 83 points per match and have reached the 100 mark three times.
3. Geelong has won the past three matches between the sides, ending Hawthorn's run of four consecutive wins in 2014-15.
4. Hawthorn has been impressive this season for disposal efficiency (75.6 per cent), while the Cats are ranked equal eighth in this stat (73.6 per cent).
5. Geelong holds a clear advantage over Hawthorn at the MCG, winning 18 matches to nine. The Cats, however, have lost two of their three games at the venue in 2017.
6. Cats midfielder Mitch Duncan climbed 14 places, from No.83 to No.69 overall, on the Schick AFL Player Ratingsfollowing his 38-possession, two-goal game against the Brisbane Lions last round.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Luke Hodge
No points for guessing who the week belongs to. Hodge, who on Monday announced he'll retire at season's end, runs out for the 300th time since making his debut in 2002. The four-time premiership star – and three-time premiership captain – embodies leadership, both on and off the field, and has set the tone for the next generation of Hawks.
PREDICTION: Geelong by seven points
