SUMMARY
As is expected of a rebuilding team, the Saints have been up and down this year. They've had some considerable highs, including their round 14 110-point win over Essendon, but also some lows, namely the 63-point loss they suffered at the hands of Port Adelaide in round 18 and the two 37-point losses to Fremantle and North Melbourne that have followed since. The Cats' four wins in a row leading into last weekend ignited their finals charge but it hit a speed hump last Saturday night against Hawthorn when they went down by 36 points. Still, they're just one game off the eighth-placed Adelaide so their September hopes remain alive.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, August 22, 7.20pm AEST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2014, Geelong 20.13 (133) d St Kilda 5.7 (37) at Simonds Stadium
R18, 2013, Geelong 21.11 (137) d St Kilda 5.6 (36) at Simonds Stadium
R21, 2012, Geelong 18.15 (123) d St Kilda 11.15 (81) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2011, Geelong 15.10 (100) d St Kilda 11.6 (72) at the MCG
R1, 2011, Geelong 6.12 (48) d St Kilda 6.11 (47) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Recent records show Geelong's dominance over St Kilda. The Cats have won the last five head-to-heads with the Saints not tasting victory since the 2010 qualifying final.
2. The Cats' last two triumphs over the Saints have been big ones. The combined winning margin of the past two games is 197 points, with the Cats slamming through 41 goals to 10.
3. The Cats dominated all over the field in round 13 last year. They recorded 379 to 303 disposals, and took the ball inside 50 a total of 57 times to 33. The Saints kicked just two goals to three-quarter time.
4. Neither side has been great in clearances this year. They are ranked equal 17th, with an average of 35.2 per game.
5. But, the Cats are ranked second in contested marking to date with an average of 12.4 per game. The Saints are equal ninth with 10.5.
6. David Armitage continues to trend upwards in the Official AFL Player Ratings, with the in-form midfielder moving five places to 28th overall this week.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Steve Johnson. As is the case with a host of Cats' veterans, each week looms large for Johnson as he presses his case to play on in 2016. If the decision hasn't been made already, he's got three games – plus potential finals – left to show he's worth another contract after missing round 19 with suspension.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 32 points
