Head to head: Geelong 121 wins, Melbourne 83 wins, two draws
Last time they met: Geelong 17.15 (117) d Melbourne 11.5 (71), round 16, 2009 at Skilled Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Geelong
Mitch Brown (leg) - test
Joel Corey (knee) - 3 weeks
Steven Motlop (shoulder) - 7 weeks
Brad Ottens (foot) - 3 weeks
Max Rooke (knee) - indefinite
Matthew Scarlett (hamstring) - 3 weeks
Melbourne
Matthew Bate (ankle) - test
Sam Blease (leg) - 2 weeks
Cameron Bruce (hamstring) - test
Jack Fitzpatrick (shoulder) - 1 week
Max Gawn (knee) - 6-8 weeks
Liam Jurrah (shoulder) - 4-5 weeks
John Meesen (ankle) - indefinite
Ricky Petterd (shoulder) - season
Luke Tapscott (hip) - 4-6 weeks
FORM
Geelong: LWWWW
Melbourne: WLLLW
SUMMARY
After easily accounting for Collingwood last Friday, Geelong finds itself in familiar territory - back on top of the AFL ladder. It may not have officially happened until last round, but the Cats are the top ranking team after nine rounds and show no signs of fading.
Despite dropping two of its opening five matches - rounds three against Fremantle and five against Carlton - Geelong has hit back strongly in May, having recorded four wins at an average of 73 points.
The Demons produced a memorable win in Darwin - their first match for premiership points in the Northern Territory last round - when it defeated Port Adelaide by the narrowest of margins. Despite dropping two of its opening five matches - rounds three against Fremantle and five against Carlton - Geelong has hit back strongly in May, having recorded four wins at an average of 73 points.
Although Melbourne almost lost the game in the final quarter, the red and blue managed to notch up its fourth win of the season. After just seven wins in 2008-09, Melbourne has achieved four victories and is just outside the top eight in ninth spot.
PLAYER TO WATCH
James Kelly may not stand out or have the reputation of teammates Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel or Joel Selwood, but Kelly remains an integral part of Geelong's best 22. Last round was testimony to that, when he shone with 32 disposals, including 13 contested possessions.
Brad Miller came back in the best possible way last round, kicking a career-best five goals in Melbourne's thrilling win at TIO Stadium. It was a fine result for Miller, who has endured a long VFL stint this year.
QUESTION MARKS
Does Melbourne have any chance at Skilled Stadium? Well, consider this: Geelong has won its past 19 matches at home and has dropped just two games and drawn once (against Melbourne in round 21, 2006) in its last 30 appearances at the Cattery.
How will the Demons fare after returning from the top-end for the first time following a premiership match?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Although Melbourne has improved significantly this year, attempting to overcome Geelong down the highway will be a massive task. The Demons are set to head down to Geelong a day earlier, but it won't matter in the wash-up as the experience, class and overall strength of the home side will be too much for the developing Dees.
PREDICTION
Geelong by 36 points
Chat with host Jen Witham and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 1.40pm Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflcatsdemons
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
