SUMMARY
The Lions travel to Geelong to face a Cats team smarting from an upset loss to GWS in Canberra in round two. Making matters worse for the 16th-placed Lions, they head to the Cattery without skipper Tom Rockliff and questions over the fitness of Daniel Rich and Mitch Robinson. Add the already missing Dayne Beams to that group and there's a handy starting midfield either sitting out or a little way off full health. The Cats, meanwhile, will be keen to get back to the ferocious football they displayed against the Hawks on Easter Monday, especially after being beaten by the Giants in clearances and contested ball in their shock 13-point defeat.
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Sunday, April 10, 4:40pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2015, Geelong 17. 11 (113) d Brisbane Lions 8. 9 (53) at Simonds Stadium
R23, 2014, Geelong 21. 17 (143) d Brisbane Lions 12. 9 (81) at Simonds Stadium
R2, 2014, Geelong 13. 15 (93) d Brisbane Lions 10. 8 (68) at the Gabba
R23, 2013, Geelong 15. 22 (112) d Brisbane Lions 17. 9 (111) at Simonds Stadium
R13, 2013 Brisbane Lions 15. 13 (103) d Geelong 14. 14 (98) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
1. This is the 45th meeting between the teams, with the Cats holding a clear 25-18 advantage. There’s been one draw, way back in round 10 of the 1996 season.
2. The Cats have dominated the Lions in recent seasons, winning the past four matches and eight of the last nine with four wins by more than 50 points.
3. Geelong holds the advantage over the Lions at Simonds Stadium, winning 14 of the 22 matches played there. The drawn game was also played at Simonds Stadium.
4. The Cats had a mixed run at Simonds Stadium in 2015, losing three of eight games – the first time since 2007 they had lost more than once game in a season at the venue.
5. They may be 0-2, but the Lions have shown some improvement early in 2016, especially in finding ways to score. Winless at the same point in 2015, Justin Leppitsch's side has scored 60 points more this time out, which would easily be more if not for some horrendous efforts in front of goal against North Melbourne in round two.
6. Dayne Zorko climbed to 18th in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after his lively outing against the Kangaroos in round two. Alongside teammate Pearce Hanley, Zorko led the Lions for disposals (24) and kicked two important goals to be one of his team's best on the day.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Josh Walker. A week after Steve Johnson had the last laugh on his former teammates, Walker gets his chance to shine against his old mob. The 23-year-old forward will be banking on using the knowledge gained over five seasons at Geelong to kick his new team to victory. Walker enters the match with good form in games between these two teams, booting five goals the last time they met, albeit wearing Geelong colours.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 40 points
