There is no doubt Greater Western Sydney is enduring a difficult stretch in its second season in the competition. The heavy defeats are mounting, with the Giants falling well short in games against high-flyers Essendon, Adelaide, Hawthorn, West Coast and Carlton over the past five weeks. Next up is a Geelong side boasting nine victories from its opening 10 games, but the young Giants refuse to drop their heads and continue to take small positives from each performance. Against the Blues, it was their competitiveness in three of the four quarters, just dropping in intensity in the third quarter when Carlton kicked 6.6 to 0.3. They will also take some heart from their one clash with the Cats to date, when they were level at halftime in Geelong. Chris Scott's side will have no time for sentiment, however, as it attempts to stay near the summit of the ladder. The Cats finally put a combative Gold Coast side to bed under lights at Simonds Stadium on Saturday, and intends to knock off another expansion club this week.

WHERE AND WHEN: Skoda Stadium, Saturday June 8, 1.40pm

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds

LAST MEETING
R10, 2012: Geelong 19.12 (126) d GWS Giants 9.7 (61) at Simonds Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Geelong has enjoyed its trips to Sydney of late, winning five of its past six games in the city, including a round four triumph over the Swans at the SCG this year.

2. This will be Geelong's first visit to GWS' impressive Skoda Stadium. Overall it will be the 30th venue the Cats have played at for competition points.

3. The Cats won their only tussle against the Giants to date by 65 points in round 10 last year, but GWS gave its vastly more experienced opponents a scare, keeping scores level at quarter-time and half-time in one of their better performances of the season.

4. Geelong skipper Joel Selwood is the highest ranked Cat in the Official AFL Player Ratings, currently sitting fifth overall. GWS counterpart Callan Ward, who has been leading the club solo during co-captain Phil Davis' injury-enforced layoff, is the top-ranked Giant at No.22.

5. Strong tackling was a feature of GWS' performances in 2012, but that hasn't been the case so far this year. The Giants are ranked 17th in tackling, although the Cats aren't much better, currently 15th in that category.

6. Geelong is one of the few teams Kevin Sheedy does not enjoy a positive win-loss coaching record against. It is close, however, with the master coach winning 22, losing 23 and having one draw against the Cats.