WHO: Geelong v North Melbourne
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday June 11, 7:25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Broadcast guide
TICKETS: Purchase tickets

THE LAST FIVE

R15, 2015, North Melbourne 18.12 (120) d Geelong Cats 11.13 (79) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2015, North Melbourne 12.11 (83) d Geelong Cats 9.13 (67) at Simonds Stadium
2SF, 2014, North Melbourne 14.14 (98) d Geelong Cats 13.14 (92) at the MCG
R19, 2014, Geelong Cats 16.15 (111) d North Melbourne 10.19 (79) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2014, Geelong Cats 16.15 (111) d North Melbourne 13.13 (91) at Simonds Stadium

SUMMARY (AFL.COM.AU)

Geelong has been dealt a significant blow ahead of its top-four blockbuster against ladder leader North Melbourne, with spearhead Tom Hawkins accepting his contentious one-match ban for striking GWS co-captain Phil Davis in the 10-point win. While the third-placed Cats have lost their leading goalkicker, the Kangaroos have regained coach Brad Scott, who has overcome the viral illness that prevented him from overseeing last week's 70-point win against Richmond.

North captain Andrew Swallow led his team superbly with 19 contested touches, 11 tackles and 10 clearances, while his counterpart, Cat Joel Selwood, also produced an inspirational effort against the Giants, with his 12-possession, one-goal final quarter guiding his side to victory after back-to-back upset losses. Despite Hawkins' absence, the intriguing midfield match-up makes this one of the must-watch games of round 12, as the Scott brothers lock horns in the coach's box.

Andrew Swallow had three Brownlow votes the last time the two sides met.

THE HEADLINES

Tackling a new challenge
In 2016, Andrew Swallow is taking things to a new level… MORE

Working as a unit
It’s a frequent line you’ll hear from those at Arden Street – the performance of the forwards as a unit… MORE

Opposing Threat: Geelong
North Melbourne’s opponent this week will have a different looking forward line… MORE

TEAMS

Geelong

B: Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie
HB: Corey Enright, Lachie Henderson, Tom Ruggles
C: Jordan Murdoch, Joel Selwood, Mark Blicavs
HF: Mitch Duncan, Rhys Stanley, Steven Motlop
F: Jimmy Bartel, Shane Kersten, Daniel Menzel
Fol: Zac Smith, Cameron Guthrie, Patrick Dangerfield
Int: Josh Caddy, Jake Kolodjashnij, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Lang
Emer: Cory Gregson, Jed Bews, Nathan Vardy

In: Rhys Stanley
Out: Tom Hawkins (suspended)

North Melbourne

B: Scott Thompson, Robbie Tarrant, Aaron Mullett
HB: Shaun Atley, Michael Firrito, Jamie Macmillan
C: Brad McKenzie, Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey
HF: Jack Ziebell, Jarrad Waite, Nick Dal Santo
F: Sam Gibson, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington
Int: Luke McDonald, Robbie Nahas, Mason Wood, Ben Brown
Emer: Majak Daw, Corey Wagner, Farren Ray

In: Todd Goldstein, Aaron Mullett
Out: Sam Wright (ankle), Majak Daw (omitted)

THE COACH SAID

THE SIX STATS (AFL.com.au)

1. The Kangaroos set up their win over the Cats in round 15 last year with a seven-goal-to-one second term. Captain Andrew Swallow was best on ground with 24 disposals, 12 tackles and two goals.

2. North Melbourne is No.1 in centre clearances this season, averaging 14.7 per game courtesy of Todd Goldstein, who is ranked third in the League for total hit-outs.

3. The Roos have won the past three clashes over Geelong, but they haven't defeated the Cats in four consecutive games since 2000-01.

4. Little separates the sides at Etihad Stadium, with six wins to five in the Kangaroos' favour. North is undefeated from six games at the venue so far in 2016.

5. Geelong continues to be the No.1 contested marking side this season, while the Kangaroos are ranked equal-fifth in this area.

6. Zac Smith has climbed 131 places, from No.354 to No.223 overall, in the Schick AFL Player Ratings since round one. The Cats' recruit is closing in on his career best (No.207 overall), which was recorded in round 20, 2012.

Zac Smith has assumed the mantle of Geelong's number one ruckman.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS

Will Tomahawk's ban affect Cats?

Geelong was left shocked after spearhead Tom Hawkins was slapped with a one-game suspension for his left-handed cuff to GWS co-captain Phil Davis early in the final quarter last Saturday. Hawkins is the Cats' leading goalkicker with 24 majors and his absence will no doubt be keenly felt, while North coach Brad Scott said Hawkins' ban will add a level of unpredictability to Geelong's forward line structure. The Cats will be hoping forward Steven Motlop, who sits second on their goalkicking list with 20 majors, can step up after a lean patch of form this season. Ruckman Rhys Stanley has been named after missing last week with a foot injury.

Which tall forward will deliver?

Tall Drew Petrie played his best game in recent weeks in the big win over Richmond last round by pushing further up the ground on occasions, ending with 15 touches, nine marks and a goal. Ben Brown also registered one goal against the Tigers, while Jarrad Waite was kept goalless for the second straight week. The trio will be hoping to hurt Geelong on the scoreboard with their slight height advantage, but will have to contend with an experienced Cats backline that features the likes of Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie and Lachie Henderson.

Who will win midfield match-up?

The battle in the middle promises to be game defining, with both teams possessing elite ball-winners. North skipper Andrew Swallow was again a raging bull against the Tigers with 28 disposals, while Cats captain Joel Selwood also helped steer his side across the line against GWS last week, with his 12 touches (nine contested), five score involvements, four tackles, three clearances and a goal coming in the tense final quarter alone. Add Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie, Jack Ziebell and Daniel Wells to the mix and this has all the hallmarks of an epic contest.

Will Etihad factor come into play?

Geelong has played just one match at Etihad Stadium this season, losing to Carlton by 19 points in round 10. The Roos, on the other hand, are undefeated under the roof from six games this season. Although this is Geelong's home game, the Roos will fancy their chances and will be hoping their unbeaten run at their favoured venue continues.

Which Scott brother will prevail?

North coach Brad Scott returns to the coach's box on Saturday night after recovering from the illness that sidelined him from last week's trip to Hobart. Brad and his twin brother, Cats coach Chris Scott, made football history in round seven, 2011, when they became the first identical twins to coach against each other for premiership points. Brad holds a slight advantage over his brother, with five wins to four. Who will win the tactical battle on this occasion?

North Melbourne is undefeated at Etihad Stadium this season.