WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday September 5, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
THIS YEAR
R22, 2014, Hawthorn 14.10 (94) d Geelong 11.5 (71) at the MCG
Geelong coach Chris Scott declared it was partly "mission accomplished" after the game, despite his side coughing up a 33-point third-quarter lead. The Hawks piled on 10 consecutive goals in an extraordinary burst to snatch victory and ensure they would play a qualifying final in Melbourne.
R5, 2014, Geelong 15.16 (106) d Hawthorn 12.15 (87) at the MCG
The Cats exacted some slight revenge for their epic preliminary final loss to Hawthorn with their fifth straight win to start the season. Tom Hawkins starred against the undersized Hawks defence with five goals and seven contested marks. Hawthorn hit the front early in the final term but Geelong clinched their 12th win over the Hawks in 13 meetings.
PREVIOUS FIVE ENCOUNTERS
R22, 2014, Hawthorn 14.10 (94) d Geelong 11.5 (71) at the MCG
R5, 2014, Geelong 15.16 (106) d Hawthorn 12.15 (87) at the MCG
1PF, 2013, Hawthorn 14.18 (102) d Geelong 15.7 (97) at the MCG
R15, 2013, Geelong 11.16 (82) d Hawthorn 10.12 (72) at the MCG
R1, 2013, Geelong 13.15 (93) d Hawthorn 12.14 (86) at the MCG
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KEY MATCH-UPS
Tom Hawkins v Brian Lake
The battle between the in-form Cats forward and last year's Norm Smith medallist could be match-defining. Hawkins monstered an undersized Hawks defence in round five, booting five majors and taking seven contested marks, but was held to three goals and six marks by Lake in round 22.
Jordan Lewis v Cam Guthrie
Having his career-best season, Lewis was relatively well held by Guthrie in round 22. Lewis was targeted by the Cats' tagger for 81 minutes and held to 19 disposals before finishing with 25 touches – a win for Geelong considering his red-hot form. Limiting the prolific midfielder's influence will be high on the Cats' agenda.
MEDICAL ROOM
Hawthorn Defenders Lake and Suckling (knee) are in doubt, although the outlook seems brighter for Lake (corked hip). Luke Hodge (knee), Brad Hill (quad) and Ben Stratton (calf) are likely to come back in. Cyril Rioli (hamstring tendon) is at least another week away.
Geelong Johnson's foot is the Cats' big injury concern, with the mercurial veteran needing to get through Wednesday training unscathed to be passed fit to play. Most signs point to Johnson lining up for his first game in a month.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY WIN? The winner will enjoy the week off to freshen-up for a home preliminary final.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY LOSE? The loser faces a sudden-death semi-final against either North Melbourne or Essendon.
THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn holds a 5-3 edge in finals against Geelong. The Hawks have won five of the past six finals between them, dating back to the 1989 Grand Final.
2. Expect plenty of set shots at goal on Friday night. Geelong has taken the most marks inside 50 this season, with an average of 11 a game. The Hawks are third with 9.6.
3. Geelong is the AFL’s second best team at taking contested marks, largely thanks to Tom Hawkins, who leads the competition with 50 this season.
4. Hawthorn has won 11 of its 16 qualifying finals. Geelong has won eight of its 15.
5. There is a huge discrepancy in clearances between the teams. The Hawks are the competition's best with 40.8 a game; the Cats are the worst with 33.4.
6. Jordan Lewis could win Hawthorn's best-and-fairest this season, but the prolific midfielder is only the fifth-highest ranked Hawk in the Official AFL Player Ratings.
PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 11 points
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