MATCH DETAILS
Geelong v Collingwood, 7.40pm, Friday, May 23, MCG (Collingwood home match)

FORECAST
While it won’t be warm, it should be a perfect night for footy. Clear days in Melbourne in the lead-up to the match should provide a dry track – a far different setting to the slippery conditions which the Cats played in six days earlier.

LAST TIME THEY MET
Preliminary final, 2007 at the MCG – Geelong 13.14 (92) def Collingwood 13. 9 (87)

In front of a crowd of 98,002, the Cats prevailed in an epic. The minor premiers always seemed to have an edge throughout the night but the Magpies refused to wilt.

Geelong, despite feeling the weight of expectation and maybe even getting a case of the jitters at different stages, held firm and some individual moments of brilliance helped the Cats get across the line.

Big man Brad Ottens monstered the opposition in the ruck, while Gary Ablett was superb at ground level, kicking a memorable goal late in the match to help put a nail in the Magpies’ coffin. Collingwood continued to press, and had the ball on its half-forward flank when the final siren sounded.

FORM GUIDE
On top of the AFL ladder, undefeated and with a healthy percentage … it’s hard not to like the Cats’ form even if some are questioning it.

Skipper Tom Harley has asked his fans to ease up with the demands, sensing some Geelong supporters are going away from games almost disappointed if their side hasn’t flogged the opposition by 10 goals. But as the coach has said, they’re doing enough, and 8-0 after eight rounds isn’t to be sneezed at.

Collingwood is back on the winner’s list after overcoming a brave St Kilda, which put up a good fight last week despite not having Nick Riewoldt. The Pies aren’t playing at their best either but with Anthony Rocca, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak and Dale Thomas in their line-up, they only need a sniff to be very, very dangerous.

 RANDOM FACTS
- Steve Johnson went goalless against Richmond last week. It's the first time in 33 matches the freakish forward’s name didn't appeared on the scoresheet.

- In three matches against the Cats, Collingwood forward Travis Cloke is averaging 16 possessions, 10 marks and three goals.

- Magpie Dale Thomas, who plays his 50th career match on Friday, has never kicked a goal against the Cats

KEY MATCH UPS
Harry Taylor v Travis Cloke
Cloke, while not in his best form at present, caused big problems for the Cats last year. The youngest and most talented of David’s sons has a big body and a big engine.

With Matthew Scarlett likely to go to Anthony Rocca, whoever gets Cloke has a huge task. Milburn or Harley might get a chance, but expect Thompson to continue to show faith in his first-year draftee and give him the first crack.

Cameron Ling v Scott Pendlebury
Ling, the Cats’ ever-reliable stopper, is likely to overcome an ankle injury and take his place against the Pies. He shut down Nathan Foley last week despite lacking yards in pace and it’ll be most interesting to see who he goes to this week – the Pies’ youngest and most creative midfielder in Pendlebury, or their strongest and the one he played on a couple of times last year, Dane Swan. Both are dangerous, but whoever it is can expect a tough evening.

Gary Ablett v Rhyce Shaw/Dane Swan
Calf … what calf? Geelong’s little champ returned from a two-week lay-off in spectacular fashion last week against Richmond. He was the architect of the Cats’ 30-point win. Quite simply, every one of his 27 touches resulted in something good for his team. Collingwood’s Swan is one of the few players in the competition whose core strength would come close to matching the slippery Cat, while Rhyce Shaw has performed a few tagging role this year.

WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Geelong coach Mark Thompson (on the occasion)
“Any opportunity you get to play in front of a big crowd is a great one and is half the reason why you play.

“It's exciting as a coach, it's exciting as a player and that will never change. The bigger the crowd the more fun it is.”

Collingwood defender Nick Maxwell (on the Cats)
“Obviously for the past 18 months they’ve been the benchmark, so it’s going to be a tough one for us.

“I think when everyone’s working together and we’re doing the right things for each other, I think we can push anyone. I think we can beat anyone.”