HAWTHORN V GEELONG
Venue MCG
Date Friday, July 25
Time 7.40pm

Head to head: Hawthorn 66 Geelong 72 Drawn 1
Last time: Hawthorn 10.16 (76) bt Geelong 9.18 (72) R4 2007, Aurora Stadium
Betting TABSportsbet Hawthorn $3.10 Geelong $1.33 Centrebet Hawthorn $2.85 Geelong $1.43

Summary A grand final preview in almost every sense, complete with superstar match-ups, should reveal whether Geelong is storming towards back-to-back flags or can be rattled by an elite opposition.

The Cats disposed of the second-placed Western Bulldogs last week with a final-term goal blitz and if there is a similar result this week they will become almost unbackable.

Both sides have cracks though - Geelong will again be without midfield strongman Cameron Ling and Gary Ablett while the Hawks' dependable midfield has a couple of injury worries.

The most tantalising battles look to be between the Hawk forwards and the wall of Cat defenders but the Trent Croad-Cameron Mooney clash at the other end should also be a beauty.

Hawks linchpin Luke Hodge will miss the game if it clashes with the berth of his first child.

Key Who can hold Buddy Franklin and Jarryd Roughead? Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie and Darren Milburn, that's who.

Tip Geelong by 15 points