Game day has arrived with Geelong taking on Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium tonight from 7.50pm AEST.

The Round 12 clash will pit two heavyweights against one another with the Power and Cats sitting first and third respectively on the AFL ladder.

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The match will be televised on Channel Seven.

How the teams stack up

Disposals: Geelong (2nd) v Port Adelaide (3rd)
Centre Clearances: Geelong (3rd) v Port Adelaide (4th)
Stoppage Clearances: Geelong (1st) v Port Adelaide (2nd)
Marks Inside 50: Geelong (2nd) v Port Adelaide (3rd)
Tackles: Geelong (6th) v Port Adelaide (1st)
Highest Scoring: Geelong (1st) v Port Adelaide (3rd)

Team Changes

Both teams have made two changes this week with the Cats recalling Lachie Fogarty and Sam Simpson after they were managed last week. They replace Jack Steven and first-year Cat Brad Close.

The Power regain former Cat Steven Motlop and Sam Mayes.

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Key Matchups

Mark O’Connor v Robbie Gray

Irishman Mark O’Connor will be looking to add another scalp to his list after his brilliant defensive display on Saint Dan Butler.

This week the 'shark' could lineup on mercurial Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray.

Gray was the match winner when the two teams last met in Round 14, 2019. On that day he collected 31 disposals and kicked two goals to help the Power record an 11-point victory.

The experienced Power forward is averaging 14 disposals and a goal per game this season.

Jed Bews and Jake Kolodjashnij might be others that coach Chris Scott calls on to stop one of the game's best small forwards.

Tom Hawkins v Charlie Dixon

These two men won't matchup up directly on one another, but their impact in attack for their respective sides could make the difference on Friday night.

Hawkins currently leads the Coleman Medal race with 24 goals, three ahead of Charlie Dixon.

Both are big and powerful key forwards, but their approach to the game has been slightly different this year, be it both equally effective. 

Hawkins is ranked number one in the game for marks on the lead and currently tops the charts for goal-assists this season. He is a player that likes to bring his teammates into the game and he enters the contest in excellent form after kicking a bag of five against St Kilda.

Dixon on the other hand is a contested marking beast. He is ranked number one in the AFL this year averaging nearly four contested marks per game. 

At 200cm and 107kg Dixon is a tough match up and even when he's caught out of position, he uses his size and strength to at least square mosts contests. 

Pressure up the ground will play a big factor in determining which player has the greatest impact, whoever receives the most clean ball could help their team kick a winning score.

Joel Selwood v Travis Boak

The midfield battle on Friday night should be a beauty. Geelong and Port Adelaide are ranked first and second respectively for total clearances this year. They are also high possession and tackling sides, who like to apply a lot of pressure across the ground. 

Taken two picks apart in the 2006 national draft, the battle between Joel Selwood and Travis Boak should be a great contest.

Boak has been one of the main reasons for Port Adelaide’s excellent season to date averaging a team-high 21 disposals and five clearances per game.

After a hot-start to the year Selwood is building back into form after sitting out Rounds 8 and 9 with a hamstring injury.

The Geelong captain is averaging 17 disposals per game and is currently second behind fellow midfielder Cameron Guthrie as the highest ranked Cat in the AFLCA Award.