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A six-goal to one second quarter set up Geelong's win against the inaccurate Kangaroos. Lively Cats forward Allen Christensen was the standout four-quarter performer with 29 touches and a goal, while Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan booted three majors each. Lindsay Thomas slotted three for the Roos.

 

The Cats burst out of the blocks, racing to a 38-point second-quarter lead, before holding off a fast-finishing North Melbourne to clinch victory in the first-ever night match played for premiership points at Simonds Stadium. Jimmy Bartel starred with 32 touches and two majors, while Tom Hawkins booted four goals.

 

R19, 2014, Geelong 16.15 (111) d North Melbourne 10.19 (79) at Etihad Stadium

R10, 2014, Geelong 16.15 (111) d North Melbourne 13.13 (91) at Simonds Stadium

R19, 2013, North Melbourne 15.6 (96) d Geelong 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium

R3, 2013, Geelong 16.16 (112) d North Melbourne 17.6 (108) at Etihad Stadium

R3, 2012, North Melbourne 20.11 (131) d Geelong 16.18 (114) at Etihad Stadium

 

 

 

Hawkins had a major influence in both of Geelong's wins over the Roos this season, booting a combined seven goals. The Cats spearhead will be keen to bounce back after a quiet qualifying final and his battle with All Australian backman Thompson, who will be giving away 4cm and 12kg, looms as match-defining.

 

Geelong's inspirational skipper did everything possible to drag his side over the line against Hawthorn with 31 touches and three goals and he will be relentlessly driving the Cats to avoid a straight sets finals exit. The Roos rarely employ a hard tag, but Greenwood could be one of several midfielders tasked with the critical role of limiting Selwood's influence.

 

Geelong The Cats have several key players under injury clouds, most notably Steve Johnson. The veteran's foot continues to be a concern and Johnson had little impact in the qualifying final loss to Hawthorn after quarter-time. Steven Motlop (bruised ankle) and Allen Christensen (back soreness) might also be facing fitness tests.

 

North Melbourne The Roos escaped unscathed against Essendon and could welcome back Leigh Adams from concussion, although he was still battling lingering effects late last week. Key defender Lachie Hansen (hip) is unlikely to be fit for the semi-final but might come into contention if the Roos advance to a preliminary final.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY WIN? The winner will hit the road to play a preliminary final against the Sydney Swans next Friday night.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY LOSE? It's season over.

 

 

1. North Melbourne holds a 4-2 edge in finals against Geelong. However, the Cats won the most recent clash – a 107-point thumping in a 2007 qualifying final at the MCG.

 

2. Geelong has a big advantage in finals experience with a combined 263 games and 169 goals compared to North Melbourne’s 102 games and 53 goals.

 

3. Chris and Brad Scott will coach against each other for the seventh time and Chris holds the advantage winning four games to two. They will be only the second set of brothers to coach against each other in finals after Len and Norm Smith for Fitzroy and Melbourne in 1960.

 

4. Geelong is second for marks inside 50 this season, while the Roos are 11th. Tom Hawkins is the top-ranked player, averaging 3.9 a game.    

 

5. The Cats have won six of their past eight matches against North. But there has been some close finishes, with three of the past five decided by fewer than three goals.

 

6. Geelong is the AFL’s fourth-highest tackling team with 70.3 a game.  The Kangaroos are 12th and average 64 a game.

 

PREDICTION: Geelong by 10 points

 

Twitter: @TravKing_AFL