Geelong bowed out of the finals race last week after a 48-point hiding by a resurgent Collingwood. With finals out of the equation for the first time since 2006, attention has turned to how the Cats will manage the futures of some of their ageing premiership players. Seventh-placed Adelaide will make the journey to Simonds Stadium with added belief after its impressive 57-point win over West Coast. The adoring home crowd will have the chance to farewell some of the Cats' veterans, but the Crows will be out to spoil the celebration and could still snatch a home final if they claim the win and if other results go their way.
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Saturday September 5, 1.05pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R1, 2014, Geelong 18.11 (119) d Adelaide 12.9 (81) at Simonds Stadium
R17, 2013, Adelaide 14.10 (94) d Geelong 14.8 (92) at AAMI Stadium
R18, 2012, Geelong 15.12 (102) d Adelaide 11.9 (75) at Simonds Stadium
R7, 2012, Adelaide 19.8 (122) d Geelong 10.12 (72) at AAMI Stadium
R21, 2011, Geelong 14.12 (96) d Adelaide 12.13 (85) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The teams last met in round one, 2014. Only five points separated the sides at three-quarter time before the Cats kicked six goals to one in the last term.
2. Adelaide's scoring has been impressive in 2015, averaging 101 points per game. Geelong is averaging 85 points per match compared to 91 in 2014.
3. Geelong and Adelaide meet for the 37th time and the Cats hold a narrow advantage, winning 19 games to 17. Since 2010, it's four wins to three in the Cats' favour.
4. The Crows are ranked second after 22 rounds for taking the ball inside 50, averaging 56.1 per game. The Cats are ranked 15th, averaging 49.5.
5. Geelong has won 14 of 17 contests against Adelaide at Simonds Stadium, including the last seven. The Crows haven't won at the venue since 2003.
6. Taylor Walker has continued his upward trend in the Official AFL Player Ratings. The skipper has climbed 113 places, from No.252 to No.139 overall, since round 14.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Steve Johnson Of all Geelong's uncontracted players, the 32-year-old's playing future is perhaps the most intriguing. The energetic forward is likely to play his final game for the Cats this Saturday and join premiership teammate Mathew Stokes in farewell matches for the club. Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, has publicly declared his desire to play on next season and is expected to receive some interest from rival clubs.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 19 points
