VENUE & TIME :
Aurora Stadium, 1:10pm

HEAD TO HEAD :
Kangaroos 58 Geelong 85 Drawn 1

LAST TIME :
Kangaroos 18.10 (118) bt Geelong 15.12 (102)
Round 5, 2007, Skilled Stadium

Team Changes

Hawthorn :
In: Ellis Osborne Thurgood Tuck
Out: Vandenberg (knee)

Port Adelaide :
In: Brogan Salopek Tredrea
Out: Nil

Preview :

The Kangaroos put up a huge fight against the Eagles last Sunday at the Dome, fighting back from sizeable deficits a couple of times, but in the end the result went the same way as all but one of the games between the sides have done while Dean Laidley has been coach of the Roos, with their poor kicking for goal after half-time proving costly.

No fresh injury concerns from the weekend, with only Josh Gibson (head) and Nathan Thompson (knee) - who are out for the season - missing from their best 22. David Trotter and Ben Hughes are both missing for three weeks with hamstring worries, while Blake Grima and Daniel McConnell may return from similar injuries in the VFL.

The Cats have the minor premiership sealed but have vowed not to let up and are chasing a 15th successive win, having little trouble seeing off Adelaide at Skilled Stadium. Five goals to one in the first quarter ultimately proved enough as the Crows at least ensured they were not routed over the final three quarters.

Geelong is likely to regain Paul Chapman (groin) this week, and ruckman Mark Blake (soreness) and Brent Prismall (wrist) should also be fit, giving selectors the welcome headache of trying to fit players into the 22.

Jimmy Bartel has been at his supreme best in recent weeks. On Sunday he had 21 possessions to half-time on the way to a match haul of 35 and also took 13 marks, drove the Cats inside 50 four times, grabbed five clearances, laid five tackles and booted two goals.

The Verdict :

Seizing the moment. Geelong do it all the time, but the Kangaroos rued missed opportunities last week against the Eagles. They cannot afford to let half-chances slip again.

A classic battle awaits between two hard-at-it teams, playing direct.

The Pick :

Geelong by ten points.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Geelong 1-39.5 Margin @ 2.15

Take Kangaroos +22.5 points @ 1.90