HAWTHORN v GEELONG – MCG (2.40pm AEST)
LAST TIME: Geelong 12.13 (85) def Hawthorn 11.17 (83), R15, 2010
AT SELECTION: With both these sides in winning form, there were no real surprises at selection. Hawthorn make no changes to the side that defeated West Coast last week, while Geelong have dropped Josh Hunt and Allen Christensen for Mitch Duncan and big Tommy Hawkins.
WHO IS MISSING? Hawthorn are without key defender Ben Stratton and half forward Michael Osborne. Geelong’s Shannon Byrnes is the only Cat regular missing due to injury.
PREVIEW: By bringing in Tom Hawkins, Geelong have obviously decided to go tall and expose Hawthorn’s only real weakness, an unconvincing and undersized defence. Mitch Duncan is also a good inclusion for the Cats, with his ball winning ability a valuable contributor to Geelong’s early season form. Hawthorn are still relying too much on their superstar quartet of Lance Franklin, Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Cyril Rioli. These are all great players, but to compete against Geelong you need to have the majority of your 22 firing. My question mark over Hawthorn is their bottom five or so players. Will they stand up in the big games? My guess is not yet, but we’ll find out on Tuesday.
TIP: Geelong to win by 18 points
ANDY’S BET: Geelong to win by 5 points or more @ 2.00 (Readbet)