We take a look back at the recent history between the GIANTS and the Cats ahead of Saturday afternoon’s big clash at Simonds Stadium.
GIANTS fans will no doubt remember the last time we took on the Cats, because it was only nine weeks ago.
Three-time Premiership Cat Steve Johnson claimed a victory over his former club at the first attempt as the GIANTS stunned Geelong by 13 points in Canberra in round two.
In front of a sold-out crowd at Manuka Oval, the GIANTS secured their first win of the season and their first in five clashes against Geelong.
The GIANTS almost let slip a 37-point third-term lead but some solid defensive work and a late goal to Ryan Griffen sealed one of the biggest wins in the expansion club's brief history.
The two previous matches were also closely-fought affairs as the GIANTS ran to within 27-points of Geelong in 2015 in Canberra and lost by just seven points at Spotless Stadium in 2014.
Geelong forward Tom Hawkins starred in that 2015 encounter, kicking five goals in the absence of GIANTS co-captain Phil Davis.
Joel Selwood led the Geelong charge in his return from suspension, finishing with 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six clearances, eight tackles and one goal.
In the 2014 clash it was ironically now-GIANT Steve Johnson who collected the three Brownlow votes with 30 touches and three goals in the Cats’ tight win.
The GIANTS kicked five of the last six goals to get within a kick with two minutes remaining but just fell short to a finals-bound Geelong outfit.
The GIANTS have played at Simonds Stadium just once in their history, for a 65 point loss in their inaugural season.
A young Stephen Coniglio starred for the visitors with 27 touches, nine marks and a goal in just his ninth game of AFL.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2016, GWS 13.11 (89) d Geelong 11.10 (76) at Manuka Oval
R17, 2015, Geelong 9.15 (69) d GWS 6.6 (42) at Manuka Oval
R18, 2014, Geelong 13.16 (94) d GWS 12.15 (87) at Spotless Stadium
R11, 2013, Geelong 24.13 (157) d GWS 15.8 (98) at Spotless Stadium
R10, 2012, Geelong 19.12 (126) d GWS 9.7 (61) at Simonds Stadium
The GIANTS take on the Geelong Cats at Simons Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 4.35pm.
