Where and when: Giants Stadium, Saturday March 21, 7.25pm AEDT
Last time they met: GMHBA Stadium, round four, 2019: Giants 11.13 (79) beat Geelong 11.9 (75)
LIVE COVERAGE - ROUND ONE MATCH CENTRE
What it means for Geelong: The Cats failed to kick more than nine goals in both of their Marsh Community Series games, which were both losses. Tom Hawkins, Gary Ablett, Esava Ratugolea and Gary Rohan need to get their hands on it at Giants Stadium.
We know you'll be supporting us, and we want to see it ????
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) March 20, 2020
Share your videos and photos of your Round 1 view with the hashtag #AtHomeOrFarAway. pic.twitter.com/LK0Dbn6Bqg
What it means for GWS: After the disappointment of the way last season ended, the Giants have started 2020 in positive fashion and need to continue their form against a fellow finals contender.
The stat: In last year's thrilling win on the road, the Giants' three athletic tall forwards Jeremy Cameron, Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson combined for eight goals. The team won the marks inside 50 count 19-10.
Duncan and Selwood get up for selection while the Fortress gets the ruck nod ??
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) March 19, 2020
Full Team ??: https://t.co/3O1Z6tev5c#StandProud #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/5QMDNb9JFE
The match-up: Lachie Whitfield v Gary Ablett
The Giants could look to exploit the star Cat, with Ablett unlikely to be able to keep tabs on his opponent when the home side has the footy. Whitfield covers plenty of territory, but he's also improved his one-on-one game greatly over the past two seasons, so he can match up on Ablett in Geelong's forward half.
In the spotlight for Geelong: Darcy Fort
Has beaten Rhys Stanley for the opening ruck berth. Showed some promising signs during the Marsh Community Series, but how will he fare against experienced Giants recruit Sam Jacobs?
In the spotlight for GWS: Stephen Coniglio
The new captain leads the Giants into a new era, and he'll be keen to put his stamp on the club's on-field performance from the first game of the year. The star midfielder was sorely missed in the second half of last season.
Big call for Geelong: After an impressive pre-season, Jordan Clark will show Cats fans why he was sorely missed in last year's finals series and shapes as an X-factor for Geelong this season.
Big call for GWS: After his nightmare Grand Final performance, Jeremy Finlayson gets his season off to a flyer with a six-goal haul against the Cats.
