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FORM & HISTORY

Since the start of the 2011 season, Geelong and Sydney have faced each other eight times, winning four apiece, but Sydney have the advantage, winning the most recent encounter at ANZ Stadium earlier this year. The Swans defeated the Cats by 43 points back in Round 7; however this time the match will take place in Geelong, where the Cats have won nine of the last 10 against Sydney.

Geelong captain Joel Selwood ($502,000 MID) will play his 200^th match this weekend and the team will be looking to chair him off the field a winner. Selwood has enjoyed a return to form over the past two weeks and will be looking to continue his resurgence as one of the best midfielders in the competition against a tough Swans outfit.

With five games left in the home and away season, both teams need to keep winning. Sydney to maintain their position in the top four and potentially break into the top two and earn a home final, and Geelong to maintain a grasp on the top eight. The Cats are currently in eighth place on the ladder but face a tough fortnight against Sydney and Hawthorn and have Adelaide and GWS breathing down their necks.

THE LEAD UP

The football feeds have been filled with news this week. Steve Johnson ($438,000 FWD/MID) has been suspended for one match for striking ex-teammate Allen Christensen ($442,000 FWD/MID). He will be disappointed to miss the crucial match with the Swans which would have been his 250^th AFL game. That milestone will have to wait at least another week. Geelong coach Chris Scott stated there are no guarantees that Johnson returns to face Hawthorn in Round 20.

Lance Franklin ($423,000 FWD) has been under an injury cloud early this week and he'll face a fitness test on a sore back later this week. Geelong will be comfortable whether or not Franklin plays as he and Tom Lonergan ($305,000 DEF) have had some good battles in the past, with Lonergan more than holding his own on many occasions.

The biggest story of the week however is the return of Adam Goodes ($406,000 FWD) to the Sydney team. Geelong has been very vocal this week on the issue and believes it is a wonderful opportunity for the Geelong crowd to show leadership in the area, especially in Multicultural Round. Goodes will be playing with extra passion this week and will be a tough matchup up for any Geelong defender who lines up on him. This could likely be a young Cat, either Jackson Thurlow ($317,000 DEF/MID) or Jake Kolodjashnij ($176,000 DEF).

With no injury concerns coming out of Geelong's match against Brisbane in Round 18, Geelong is likely to make minimal changes. Steve Johnson will miss through suspension, but any other changes will be made on balance. Mathew Stokes ($373,000 MID/FWD) and George Horlin-Smith ($333,000 MID) are the form players in the VFL pressing their case for selection.

Much to the dismay of Geelong fans, Daniel Menzel ($142,000 FWD) will not play against Sydney. Geelong are taking a conservative approach to his return and although he seems a like-for-like replacement for Steve Johnson, Chris Scott has ruled him out as an option in his regular Wednesday press conference.

KEY MATCH-UP

Lance Franklin and Adam Goodes will be interesting matchups for Geelong on Saturday night, but there are a few that could be more important.

Joel Selwood will have a big task in his 200^th game. He is likely to attract the tag from Sydney, who have used Tom Mitchell in that role of late. Although Selwood has been spending more time forward of centre in the last two weeks, Mitchell is a damaging player in his own right so Selwood will have to be on the ball defensively on Saturday night.

Kurt Tippett ($401,000 FWD/RUCK) was one of Sydney's better players against Adelaide in Round 18. His role changed slightly, he spent more time contesting the ruck and pushing forward and it seems Sydney reaped the rewards. For a big man, his versatility is important to his game as he can get bogged down inside forward 50 easily. The Geelong back six will have to be aware of his presence when he drifts forward, if they are to stop him scoring. Geelong coach Chris Scott hinted that Dawson Simpson ($252,000 RUCK) may come in to the side to help tackle the sheer size of Tippett.

Lastly, Luke Parker did the damage to Geelong last time the two clubs met. He lined up at half forward for Sydney in Round 7 but found plenty of the ball through the middle with 31 disposals and hit the scoreboard with five goals. His opponent, whether it be a defender like Corey Enright ($457,000 DEF) or a similarly hard-nosed midfielder like James Kelly ($415,000 DEF/MID) will have to be on the ball on Saturday night.  

BOOM OR BUST

Cameron Guthrie

Cameron Guthrie ($413,000 MID) typifies the “Boom or Bust” sentiment. Not because of inconsistent form, but because of his ability to play the run-with role so well. He is Geelong's preferred tagger when they choose to utilise one. When they don't, he is a hard running and damaging midfielder who knows where the goals are. Against Brisbane, Guthrie was voted best afield by both coaches on the back of 28 possessions, seven tackles, two goals and 116 AFL Fantasy points to boot. The question remains whether he will be given the opportunity to replicate that form or whether he will be enlisted to curtail the influence of Sydney's key playmaker, Dan Hannebery.

Billie Smedts

Billie Smedts ($204,000 DEF) was given the opportunity to play a full game of football against Brisbane in Round 18. He gathered 15 disposals and used the ball quite well but Smedts will need to show a little more this week if he is to hold his position in the Geelong lineup and indeed in our AFL Fantasy sides. As a relatively cheap defender he has immense upside, but we need to see an increase in his output, or else we are hitting that trade button.

FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE

1. Josh Caddy ($539,000 MID)

2. James Kelly ($415,000 DEF/MID)

3. Jimmy Bartel ($495,000 FWD/MID)

4. Mark Blicavs ($537,000 RUCK/MID)

5. Joel Selwood ($502,000 MID)