North Melbourne’s opponent this week will have a different looking forward line to normal. Geelong’s Tom Hawkins is out suspended this week, opting to accept his one-match ban for striking.

Since the start of 2013, Hawkins has missed just five matches. The Cats have had a 3-2 record in those clashes.

- 2015, Round 7: defeated by Sydney (finished fourth) at ANZ Stadium
- 2015, Round 3: defeated Gold Coast (finished 16th) at Simonds Stadium
- 2013, Qualifying Final: defeated by Fremantle (finished third) at Simonds Stadium
- 2013, Round 21: defeated West Coast (finished 13th) at Domain Stadium
- 2013, Round 5: defeated Western Bulldogs (finished 15th) at Etihad Stadium

As the records show, both losses came to quality teams and the common thread was Geelong’s inability to kick a significant score – just 20 goals combined in the two matches.

Nevertheless, in 2016 Geelong has shown the ability to spread the goal-scoring load across multiple players. Steven Motlop, Shane Kersten, Josh Caddy and Daniel Menzel have all reached double figures this season, with the likes of Darcy Lang, Cam Guthrie and Zac Smith not far behind.

It’s Smith in particular who has impressed this season, alternating his time between a key-forward position and the ruck. Perhaps his most influential performance as a Cat came just last week against the Giants.

The injury-enforced absence of Rhys Stanley forced Smith to assume the majority of the ruck work against Shane Mumford, one of the best big men in the competition. Yet Smith more than held his own, managing to essentially break even in hit-outs to advantage (8-6 to Mumford) and total hit-outs (34-31 to Mumford).

With Stanley a chance to make his return this week, North’s ruck division will have another matchup to be wary of.

In the midfield the combo of Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood have been contested ball beasts. The duo have combined for more than 300 contested possessions so far this season, providing the impetus inside.

In the last fortnight North’s opposition midfielders have racked up disposals. The difference between matches against Sydney and Richmond were that the possessions in the latter were rushed and pressured due to North’s efforts around the ball.

A similar effort will have to be brought on Saturday night to ensure the Cats don’t have an advantage in the middle.