SUMMARY
Greater Western Sydney will head to Geelong with confidence after the fortress took a hit at the hands of Sydney last week. The Swans knocked off the Cats for the third consecutive time – the only travelling club to have won at the venue since 2015 – while the Giants' record is less imposing. Three visits have resulted in an average losing margin of 40 points and to overturn it, the Giants will have to do so without their most dangerous forwards, Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene, as well as resurgent defender Brett Deledio. B&F Josh Kelly and ruckman Rory Lobb are also missing. The Cats were run off their feet by Sydney's makeshift forward set-up last week and will need to contend with a new-look Giants attack. How Geelong's midfield responds to its final term battering will be intriguing – facing up against in-form onballers Dylan Shiel, Tim Taranto and Stephen Coniglio.
WHERE AND WHEN: GMHBA Stadium, Friday May 4, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R23, 2017, Geelong 15.13 (103) d GWS 8.11 (59) at GMHBA Stadium
R15, 2017, GWS 10.8 (68) drew Geelong 10.8 (68) at Spotless Stadium
R11, 2016, Geelong 14.14 (98) d GWS 14.4 (88) at GMHBA Stadium
R2, 2016, GWS 13.11 (89) d Geelong 11.10 (76) at UNSW Canberra Oval
R17, 2015, Geelong 9.15 (69) d GWS 6.6 (42) at UNSW Canberra Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. As the Cats pulled away from the Giants in round 23 last year, their midfield was the difference. Sam Menegola (34 disposals), Patrick Dangerfield (33 disposals), Mitch Duncan (27 disposals) and Joel Selwood (22 disposals and 12 tackles) were far superior.
2. Giants boss Leon Cameron coaches his 100th game for the club on Friday night after taking over at the start of 2014. Cameron's past two seasons have pushed his record into the positive – sitting at 53-3-43 from his 99 games to date.
3. Geelong's centre bounce woes were put under the microscope in the final term in last week's loss to Sydney – losing the last seven centre clearances of the match. The Cats are ranked 17th in the competition for centre clearances, GWS 11th.
4. The Giants' stingy defence is ranked No.1 in the competition for points conceded this year with an average of 66 points per game. Offensively both sides have been strong, the Cats are fifth and Giants sixth.
5. GWS is the only top-eight side to have kicked more behinds than goals this year – going at 44 per cent conversion and ranked 15th in the competition. Geelong sits at 50.3 per cent.
6. Geelong currently has the two best first-year players in the Schick AFL Player Ratings – Tim Kelly and Lachie Fogarty ahead of Collingwood's Jaidyn Stephenson.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Zach Tuohy was held to just 13 disposals last week at home, well down on his average of 26 disposals at GMHBA Stadium leading into the match. His drive and penetration from defence is vitally important to Geelong's chances.
PREDICTION: Geelong by eight points
