Adelaide and Geelong have met 36 times. The Cats hold the overall advantage 19-17.

The past four matches between the sides have been split two wins apiece.

As a result of the cancelled game in Round 14 this year, for which each team was awarded two points, the Crows and Cats haven’t played since the opening round of last season.

Geelong won that match at Simonds Stadium by 28 points, with Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel kicking four goals in his 250^th AFL game.

The Crows haven’t beaten the Cats at Simonds Stadium since Round 10, 2003. On that day, former Adelaide full forward Scott Welsh booted three goals to help guide the visitors to a 17-point win.

Geelong has played seven games at ‘The Cattery’ this season for a record of four wins and three losses, against Fremantle, North Melbourne and Melbourne.

Adelaide veteran Nathan van Berlo will play his 200^th AFL game against Geelong on Saturday. See VB’s career in stats in Go Figure

Cats captain Joel Selwood has averaged 27 possessions and two goals in his past three games against the Crows. He polled three Brownlow votes last time the two teams met. 

Selwood has been involved in 28.5 per cent of all Geelong scores this season – more than any other Cats player.

Crows captain Taylor Walker has drawn level with teammate Eddie Betts to be equal-third in the Coleman Medal with 54 goals.

Geelong has the highest percentage of effective kicks (68.4 per cent) of any team in the AFL.

Adelaide has an average winning margin of 44 point this season behind only Hawthorn (60) and West Coast (52).

The Cats are ranked No.1 in the competition in contested marks, averaging 12.8 per game. The Crows are equal-sixth with an average of 11.1. The Cats move the ball through the centre corridor the second-most of any team in the League.

Several young Crows will play at Simonds Stadium for the first time as Crows this weekend. Rory Atkins, Matt Crouch, Jake Lever and Riley Knight are set to play their maiden AFL games at the ground. Charlie Cameron and Kyle Hartigan are also yet to play a game for premiership points in Geelong, but experienced the venue during the NAB Challenge. All six Crows will play their first-ever games against the Cats on Saturday.

Geelong has the fourth-highest percentage of uncontested possession, with 63.9 per cent of their ball won uncontested. In contrast, the Cats have the fourth-lowest percentage of contested possession (36.1) on average.

Adelaide is at the opposite end of the spectrum. The Crows win an average of 40.1 per cent of their ball contested – ranked No.2 in the AFL – and only 59.9 per cent uncontested – Ranked 17^th.

Geelong is one of the most efficient teams at kicking goals once inside 50m. The Cats register a major with 25.8 per cent of their forward 50m entries – ranked fifth overall.

Adelaide has won three of its four Round 23 matches since the AFL season was extended in 2011.

The Cats are 18^th in the League for clearances, averaging only 34.2 per game. Adelaide is third with an average of 41.7 per match.

Geelong’s All Australian defender Harry Taylor is fifth in the AFL for marks (150).