VENUE & TIME: SCG, Saturday 31 July, 7.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 206, Sydney 93, Geelong 113
LAST TIME: Geelong 19.12 (126) def Sydney 9.5 (59), Round 7, 2010 at Skilled Stadium
WALKING WOUNDED: Craig Bird (foot) and Kristin Thornton (hamstring) are a week away from returning to action for Sydney. In the 1-2 weeks category are Nick Smith (hamstring) and Lewis Roberts-Thomson. Daniel Bradshaw (knee), Mark Seaby (ankle) and Craig Bolton (Achilles) are all 2-3 weeks from resuming, and the season is over for Jake Orreal (back). For the Cats, Shannon Byrnes will be available after missing last Saturday's win over Brisbane with general soreness. Of the others on the club's official injury list, Max Rooke is the only regular senior player. He remains sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.
FORM:
Sydney's Past Five:
Round 17: Loss, 10.9 (69) - 22.10 (142) v Melbourne, MCG
Round 16: Win, 16.11 (107) - 10.8 (68) v Carlton, Etihad Stadium
Round 15: Win, 12.13 (85) - 7.13 (55) v North Melbourne, SCG
Round 14: Loss, 12.13 (85) - 14.5 (89) v Richmond, MCG
Round 13: Loss, 10.11 (71) - 13.18 (96) v Collingwood, Stadium Australia
Geelong's Past Five:
Round 17: Win, 19. 13 (127) - 9.10 (64) v Brisbane Lions, Skilled Stadium
Round 16: Loss, 9.9 (63) – 11.8 (74) v Adelaide, AAMI Stadium
Round 15: Win, 12.13 (85) - 11.17 (83) v Hawthorn, MCG
Round 14: Win, 14.14 (98) - 9.9 (63) v North Melbourne, Skilled Stadium
Round 13: Loss, 6.10 (46) - 10.10 (70) v St Kilda, MCG
WHO'S HOT: With five goals from his 26 possessions against the Brisbane Lions last week, Gary Ablett was hot, but his Geelong team-mate Joel Selwood, who racked up 41 disposals and 10 tackles, was hotter. Sydney veteran Adam Goodes was a standout on an otherwise dirty afternoon for the Swans at the MCG last Sunday. The two-time Brownlow Medalist registered 26 touches and four goals against the Demons and was probably Sydney's only winner on the day.
WE THINK: For Sydney, losing to Melbourne is one thing. But losing by 73 points - the heaviest defeat in Paul Roos' nine seasons in charge - is another entirely. The Swans' spiritless performance at the MCG last Sunday suggests they're a spent force, even if they manage to hang on to a place in the top eight. They have little to hang their hats on this week apart from a determination to restore some pride. For Geelong, in contrast, it's steady as you go. The Cats have won their past seven against Sydney by an average of six goals. They bounced back strongly against the Lions last Saturday after an upset loss to Adelaide the previous week that, in the grand scheme of things, caused little significant damage. Expect the Cats to rest one or two this week with September in mind, but not to lose. It's Geelong by 27 points.