HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 92 wins, Collingwood 126 wins, one draw
LAST TIME: Collingwood 18.12 (120) d Geelong 11.13 (79), 2010 first preliminary final at the MCG
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Geelong: WWWBW Collingwood: WWWWB
SUMMARY
In recent years this contest has become the most anticipated on the football calendar, with an average 84,000 fans attending Cats versus Magpies clashes since 2007 - the highest average crowd of all match-ups.
Expect many more than that to cram into the MCG on Friday night as Collingwood tries to achieve three successive wins over Geelong for the first time since 1984-85.
Geelong's heavy preliminary final loss to Collingwood last year was seen by some as a great team having its successful era brought to a close.
But under a new coach, the Cats have defied those critics to once again establish themselves as a premiership contender.
The Ablett-less midfield has continued to fire in the little man's absence, and the veteran-filled defence remains one of the tightest, but at the same time most creative, in the business.
Collingwood will enter as favourite though.
The reigning premier has been simply awesome this season, boasting depth and power on every line.
Breaking down the Magpies' feted whole-ground press will be by far Geelong's toughest assignment yet.
QUESTION MARKS
Geelong dominated for three years with an all-out attacking approach. But they were blown away by Collingwood in last year's prelim, conceding 13 first-half goals. So far this year the Cats have conceded the least points of any team. Will their more defensive mindset stand up against the Magpies?
Out of eight teams this year to come off a bye against a team that hasn't also had the bye, only Hawthorn and Geelong (both last round) have won. Will the week's rest in any way slow the Collingwood express?
PREDICTION
Collingwood by 18 points
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
Don't be shy about putting the captaincy armband straight back onto Dane Swan this week. The prolific onballer has scored 141 and 127 in his past two matches against Geelong, showing that quality opposition doesn't slow him down.
Follow the game live in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au and join the conversation on Twitter using #aflcatspies
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
