OPPONENT: Carlton
VENUE: Etihad Stadium
DATE AND TIME: Friday, May 22, 7.50pm AEST
WEATHER FORECAST: cloudy, 15 degrees

Check out the Cats’ selected side here

FIVE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

1. THE MOST ATHLETIC RUCK DUO IN THE AFL
Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs are both big units. Stanley is 200cm, while Blicavs stands 198cm. But both of them can run like the wind, and in recent weeks they have been causing plenty of mayhem for the Cats' opposition at stoppages. Both can fill the role of ruckman and ruck-rover, and they like to change things up on a regular basis. "It comes off sometimes, and sometimes we've got the big boys to compete against and it gets tough," Stanley told SEN radio on Thursday morning. "If we can stretch opponents that way, then we'll keep trying to do it."

Listen to Rhys Stanley's chat with SEN's breakfast team by clicking on the audio player below

listen to ‘Rhys Stanley on Morning Glory ’ on audioBoom

2. A FREE KICK IN THE FORWARD LINE
Although Collingwood coach has been crying foul about the treatment dished out to star Magpies forward Travis Cloke, it is the Cats who have had the least love from the umpires inside their forward 50. In the seven rounds played so far, Geelong has received just nine free kicks inside its forward 50 but has given away 31. In contrast, North Melbourne has received 28 frees inside its forward 50 but has given away just 12.

Cats forwards getting nothing

3. ANOTHER CLOSE ONE
The Cats have an unblemished record against Carlton at Etihad Stadium, but as one of our Twitter correspondents pointed out this week, there's hasn't been much between the sides in recent games at the venue.

4. A CHANGE AT THE TOP OF OUR CURRENT CONSECUTIVE GAMES RECORD
Star midfielder Mitch Duncan has played the most consecutive AFL games (65) of all current players. But his run is about to end due to the broken foot that will keep him out for around three months. The baton will now be passed to Joel Selwood, who has played 58 consecutive games since round 23, 2012. Cameron Guthrie (34) is next on the list. North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie leads the competition for consecutive games played. He has played 98 games on the trot, while Swans backman Ted Richards is next on 93.

5. AND HERE ARE A FEW FROM OUR FANS …