1. Battle of the big forwards
Two in-form forward lines will go head-to-head this week.
For the Cats, it’s Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan who are the headline acts.
Cameron has kicked 23 goals in his seven games since crossing from the GWS Giants, with Hawkins (29) and Rohan (20) equally dangerous.
For the Bulldogs, Josh Bruce and Aaron Naughton have provided a one-two punch.
Bruce has 34 goals for the year and Naughton 29, with the likes of Tim English and Mitch Hannan also posing a strong aerial threat.
2. Who will the Cats tag?
Irishman Mark O’Connor has been an important contributor in a tagging role for Geelong this season, amongst a star-studded midfield group.
But who does he go to this week?
For the past two games against Melbourne and Fremantle, clearance king Tom Liberatore has had an opponent shadowing him.
And fellow midfield stars Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae are no strangers to having a tag.
It will be interesting to see who O’Connor stands next to at the opening bounce.
3. The milestone man
Influential Bulldog Lachie Hunter will play his 150th AFL game.
The star wingman has played an important role in his team’s success this year, alternating between that role and a new one inside the Bulldogs’ forward line.
Hunter’s milestone marks another father-son success for the Bulldogs.
The 26-year-old – the son of 130-game Bulldog, Mark – was drafted with pick 49 back in 2012.
Hopefully this is a milestone match to remember – good luck, Lach!
4. Time to break the drought?
Geelong’s home game advantage at GMHBA Stadium is well documented.
They’ve lost just 10 games there over the past decade.
And the Cats’ winning run at the venue stretches even further back against the Bulldogs.
The Cats have won the past nine clashes against the Bulldogs in Geelong, with the boys in red, white and blue last tasting success there back in 2003.
After breaking their Perth hoodoo last week, it’s the perfect time to put an end to this one.
