FORMER Geelong dual premiership player Josh Hunt says it's dangerous to write off the Cats' prospects this year as he prepares to face his old club for the first time.

While some pundits have discounted Geelong as a genuine contender, the Cats have climbed back into the top four on the back of three successive victories and Port Adelaide's recent from slump.

Greater Western Sydney defender Hunt, who was part of Geelong's 2007 and 2011 flag-winning teams, has been recalled after two weeks in the reserves.

He had a warning for knockers of the Cats, who he said had been criticised for years.

"You don't sit third or fourth on the ladder if you're not doing the things that make you a good side and win games," said Hunt, who played 198 of his 208 AFL games for Geelong.

"I just think that it's dangerous for anyone to think Geelong are too old and too slow.

"They are still a quality footy club and they've got great players on every line.

"While they are a year older than last year, at the end of the day they play well together and they work really well as a unit.

"I think that it would be a brave person to write them off or just pencil them in as a game that you can really dominate."

Geelong has, however, struggled outside Victoria this season.

Since a round two win over Brisbane, Geelong has lost its four interstate games by a combined score of 222 points.

Port Adelaide and Gold Coast beat it by 40, Fremantle by 32, and Sydney by 110.

The Giants have lost their last three by margins of 46, 68 and 76 points to Sydney, Adelaide and Fremantle respectively.

Hunt played for Geelong in its only two previous games against GWS, noting the Giants were in with a chance in both up until half-time.

The home side welcomes back midfielder Adam Treloar and forwards Jon Patton and Tom Boyd for the clash. 

Midfielder Allan Christensen was withdrawn from the Geelong team on Friday after showing flu-like symptoms, but Mathew Stokes and Dawson Simpson were both recalled.