GEELONG has found some form ahead of a huge test against Hawthorn on Thursday night.

The Cats re-established what their best footy looks like last week in a devastating 69-point win over Gold Coast.

CATS v HAWKS Full match coverage and stats

Star midfielder Georgie Prespakis (quad) is fit to return for the Cats, with young key forward Bridie Hipwell (managed) coming out of the side for the Hawks.

Can the Cats back it up against a tough opposition on its own upward swing? Last week the Cats goaled through eight different avenues, while the Hawks are conceding just 2.8 goalkickers per game.

Finding that spread in attack, rather than relying on one or two to kick the bulk of their score is a signifier that the Cats are playing their way, and will be critical should they register a second win for the season.

Aishling Moloney, however, remains the key part to Geelong's forward puzzle. Without Chloe Scheer available, Moloney becomes the piece around which the rest of the attacking line orbits.

The Hawks are winning – and controlling – more of the footy than they ever have before, not only averaging 40 more disposals per game than they did last year, but averaging 65.4 per cent disposal efficiency, a significant improvement on last year's 57.3 per cent.

Their most damaging attack comes when they pull all their forwards high, create space inside 50, and use speed to get out the back, or generate a one-on-one contest where they back in their teammate in the brown and gold.

The concern for Geelong here is a lack of speed in defence to contend with the likes of Greta Bodey, Aine McDonagh, and Aileen Gilroy. In order to compete, and shut down this slingshot attack, the Cats must defend high up the ground, and force any Hawthorn attack to be slow and methodical, rather than quick and manic.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Geelong v Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium, 7.15pm AEST

GEELONG

In: G.Prespakis
Out: C.Thorne (omitted)

HAWTHORN

In: T.Fellows
Out: B.Hipwell (managed)