SUMMARY
The Cats lost their fourth game for the season last Thursday night against West Coast in Perth. They also lost Scott Selwood and Nakia Cockatoo to hamstring injuries, but have Tom Hawkins (suspension) and Mark Blicavs (soreness) available to return this week. Fremantle are 11th and just had their bye. They last played the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on June 10, which saw their third loss in a row. Aaron Sandilands, Ed Langdon and Hayden Ballantyne face fitness tests for Sunday’s game.
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Sunday 25 June, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R1, 2017, Geelong 18.7 (115) d Fremantle 10.13 (73) at Domain Stadium
R17, 2016, Geelong 11.12 (78) d Fremantle 9.7 (61) at Domain Stadium
R2, 2015, Fremantle 15.14 (104) d Geelong 9.6 (60) at Simonds Stadium
R20, 2014, Geelong 12.9 (81) d Fremantle 11.13 (79) at Simonds Stadium
R9, 2014, Fremantle 13.18 (96) d Geelong 9.10 (64) at Domain Stadium
THE FIVE POINTS
1. The Cats will welcome back Tom Hawkins. He kicked three goals in their round one win against Fremantle at Domain Stadium along with Patrick Dangerfield, Steven Motlop and Lincoln McCarthy.
2. They haven't cleared 100 points since round nine, but the Cats still hold a significant advantage when it comes to scoring. They're ranked third with an average of 102 points, while Fremantle are 17th with 76.
3. However, in the Freo Dockers' corner is their recent record at Simonds Stadium. They've won two of their last three games there, including a 44-point win in round two, 2015.
4. Tackling is another area in which there's a difference between the sides. The Cats are ranked equal third with an average of 73.8 per game, while Freo are 18th with 59.8. The Cats laid 27 more tackles in their 42-point win over Fremantle in round one, as well as dominating in the clearances and inside 50s.
5. Fremantle's Connor Blakely continues to improve as he lines up against the best midfielders in the competition. He's risen from 407th overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings to 289th since the start of the season.
