OPPONENT: Sydney Swans
VENUE: Simonds Stadium
DATE AND TIME: Saturday, August 8, 7.20pm AEST
WEATHER FORECAST: Possible shower, 13 degrees

Check out the Cats’ updated selected side

Last time: Geelong 11.11 (77) def by Sydney Swans 18.12 (120)
 
FIVE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

1. A VETERAN WITH PLENTY TO PROVE
It's tough for great players to be dropped late in their careers, but Mathew Stokes has handled his particular situation in brilliant fashion. Instead of getting down in the dumps, Stokes simply went back to the VFL and produced a couple of mighty performances, tallying around 60 disposals in two games. Now he gets his chance to prove he's still got what it takes to be an AFL player.

2. MITCH DUNCAN IN TOP FORM
The super-talented midfielder was among the best players on the ground during the first half of the clash between the Cats and Swans at ANZ Stadium back in round seven. But Duncan then suffered a broken foot, which changed the course of the game. Having led at half-time, Geelong ended up losing by 43 points, while Duncan headed off for surgery and a long stint on the sidelines. Duncan is now back on the park and firing again, and he'll be a key player in what shapes as a riveting contest at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.

3. LOTS OF TACKLES
The Cats and Swans are third and fourth in the competition for tackles laid over the past five rounds. Collingwood leads the way with 80.5 tackles per game, followed by Fremantle (77.2), Geelong (76.8) and the Swans (74.2).

4. A GOOD RESULT FOR THE BOYS IN THE HOOPS
The Cats have lost their past two games to the Swans, but the head-to-head record is very much in Geelong's favour if you take into account all games played between the clubs over the past decade. The Cats beat the Swans nine times in a row between round 20, 2006 and round four, 2011. The Swans then broke that run with an upset win in Geelong late in the 2011 season. That result ended the Cats' run of 29 straight victories at Simonds Stadium.

Relive the Cats' thrilling win over the Swans in round 22, 2000 by watching this week's episode of Thirsty Camel Throwback Thursday

5. PLENTY OF LOVE FOR #SEL200
Here's a sample of the praise that has come Joel Selwood's way as he prepares to play his 200th game …