Can the Cats beat the Hawks with a misfiring forward line?
Jennifer Phelan: Yes, but the two big guys would want to have a tad more influence on Friday night than they did against Port Adelaide. James Podsiadly had three touches to half-time and Tom Hawkins – after a mere two – was being ridiculed by a 'Twitterverse' that largely wanted him subbed out of the game. Two goals in the third quarter soothed the anger directed at the sore Hawkins but Podsiadly still struggled to make an impact. But when you look at it, the big guys haven't pulled big numbers against the Hawks this year; Pods has kicked three across two games and Hawkins two. The key? Back in the defenders, who have played well in the two home-and-away games against them this season, and hope the 'Kennett Curse' is already playing havoc with the minds of their opponents.

Adam McNicol: Indeed, Jen, Geelong's big forwards have been a bit ragged all year. The thing that did the trick for the Cats last time against the Hawks was their ability to spread and expose Hawthorn's lack of pace. So the key for Geelong is to win some hard-ball in the midfield and hope that the likes of Steven Motlop, Allen Christensen, Travis Varcoe and Mitch Duncan can do some damage on the outside. I must say it would have been brilliant to have a Kennett Curse Grand Final, but a prelim between these two great rivals will do.

Nick Bowen: I know I should agree with you both and I know I shouldn't write the Cats off, but what the hell – no, the Cats can't beat the Hawks without a fit and firing Tomahawk. The Hawks have been superb this year and 'Clarko' was very confident after they dusted off the Swans last week that they're far better prepared and far more energised heading into this year's prelim than they were last year. I just get the sense the Hawks are primed this year. They're not going to let another golden chance at a flag slip. And I always had the sense that when they finally beat Geelong it would be in a big final. I thought it would be a Grand Final, but l'm sure Clarko and his boys aren't going to quibble if they break their drought in a preliminary final instead. Yeah, the Cats' attack is dangerous even if Tomahawk's back won't let him do what he did in 2011-12, but the Kennett Curse is about to be broken.

Can Hawthorn make Geelong pay for its inconsistency?

Nathan Schmook: With its ability to score quickly, and its assumed mental edge going into this final, Geelong can perhaps afford a poor quarter against Hawthorn. The Cats had a goalless term against the Hawks when the sides last met, in round 15, and in round one they kicked 1.5 in the first quarter, falling 16 points behind. A bad half, however, such as their first two quarters against Port Adelaide, would surely be too much of an indulgence against the minor premiers. The Kennett Curse has relied on Geelong playing outstanding football, and it won't continue if the Cats reproduce Friday night's first-half effort.

Callum Twomey: For much of the year the Cats have lapsed in a quarter here or a quarter there but managed most times to come away with the win. That might change against the Hawks, who will be able to run the ball out of Geelong's attack, and are certainly more powerful up forward than the Cats' semi-final opponent Port Adelaide. What's more concerning for the Cats is their inaccuracy. Over the past four weeks, the Cats have kicked 50 goals and 72 behinds. In a preliminary final, they can't afford to miss any opportunities.

Adam McNicol: Some fine points made there by my esteemed colleagues. But having watched the past half-dozen Hawthorn v Geelong clashes, I have no faith that the Hawks will ever make the Cats pay for anything. Unless some witch doctor can be found this week to break the Kennett Curse, you can bet your bottom dollar that Geelong will slip six goals behind, then come roaring home and win by two points. Podsy, who has hardly touched it for year, will kick six. As history tells us, Hawthorn only beats Geelong in Grand Finals, and this week's game ain't one of those.