SUMMARY
West Coast and Geelong's form lines were vastly different before the bye, but Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins' one-match suspension for a jumper punch and an Eagles home game should balance up what promises to be an intriguing contest. The Eagles, who desperately need dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy (calf) to return, have slid from top-two contention right back into the clump of sides fighting for finals spots after three-straight defeats. West Coast's midfield continues to be the side's Achilles heel, and Cats stars Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood will weigh heavily on Adam Simpson's mind this week. But Geelong's other Selwood – youngest brother and ex-Eagles vice-captain Scott – and Mitch Duncan have also played key roles in the Cats' revival, with three confidence-boosting home wins over the Bulldogs, Power and Crows reigniting a stalled season. Victory in Perth would be another boost to Geelong's flag credentials.
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WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Thursday, June 15, 6.10pm AWST
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LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R7, 2016, Geelong 18.15 (123) d West Coast 12.7 (79) at Simonds Stadium
R9, 2015, West Coast 16.24 (120) d Geelong 10.4 (64) at Domain Stadium
R4, 2014, Geelong 16.11 (107) d West Coast 4.8 (32) at Simonds Stadium
R21, 2013, Geelong 16.11 (107) d West Coast 6.5 (41) at Domain Stadium
R20, 2012, West Coast 16.6 (102) d Geelong 15.7 (97) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles are desperate to arrest a three-game losing skid and haven’t suffered four straight defeats since rounds 4-7 in 2014. Geelong has won three-straight but will be without spearhead Tom Hawkins for the first time since round 12 last year.
2. Geelong – led by superstar Patrick Dangerfield and champion skipper Joel Selwood – could dominate contested possessions. The Cats average 149 per game (AFL No.4) compared to West Coast's 137 (16th).
3. West Coast and Geelong clash for the 50th time and nothing separates the sides with 24 wins each and one draw. Since 2011 it’s four wins to three in the Cats' favour.
4. Both teams take plenty of contested marks, although Tom Hawkins (equal 8th in the AFL) will be missing and Eagles gun goalkicker Josh Kennedy (3rd) is doubtful due to his calf injury. The Eagles average 13 contested grabs per game, with the Cats taking 12.
5. The teams have played 17 times previously at Domain Stadium with West Coast winning nine games to eight, including three of the last four. Geelong defeated Fremantle at Domain in round one.
6. Former West Coast vice-captain Scott Selwood has helped turn Geelong's fortunes around. The tough nut – ranked a lowly 475th in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after being ravaged by injury - is averaging 14.7 tackles over the past three matches.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Harry Taylor
With Tom Hawkins sidelined by suspension, veteran defender-cum-forward Taylor will have a key role hitting the scoreboard, but also bringing the ball to ground inside 50 against the Eagles' intercept-marking backmen.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 10 points
