Saturday’s AFL 2017 Round 23 match is between Geelong Cats and Greater Western Sydney Giants. The opening bounce is set to commence at 19:25 local time with the game to be played at Simonds Stadium. The home team the Geelong Cats are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Geelong Cats and Greater Western Sydney Giants.
When: 19:25 | Saturday 26/08/2017
Where: Simonds Stadium
Watch: Channel 7, Fox Footy or ? Watch Online for FREE HERE on your? or ?.
Preview:
Who’s the only team to win their last four games? GWS. The Cats have also won their last two, despite being without Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan. A home qualifying final beckons for the winner and as the betting shows, it’s impossible to split these two. The Giants look the better team on paper – they do against most teams – but Geelong were outstanding at home a fortnight ago in the upset win over Richmond.
Key: Hawkins’ return from suspension is crucial for Geelong ahead of the finals. He is eighth in the Coleman Medal tally and will be primed for a big night out.
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Greater Western Sydney Giants at $1.93
Value Bet: First Goal Kicker: Jonathon Patton at $9.00
More Info:
Head to head: Cats 5 Giants 1 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2017 – Giants 10.8 (68) drew with Cats 10.8 (68) at Spotless Stadium
TabSportsbet: Cats $1.85 Giants $1.95
WilliamHill: Cats $1.85 Giants $1.95
Teams:
CATS 
B: T.Stewart, T.Lonergan, J.Bews
HB: Z.Tuohy, L.Henderson, A.Mackie
C: M.Blicavs, P.Dangerfield, S.Motlop
HF: B.Parfitt, H.Taylor, S.Menegola
F: D.Menzel, T.Hawkins, J.Parsons
FOL: Z.Smith, S.Selwood, M.Duncan
I/C: W.Buzza, C.Guthrie, J.Kolodjashnij, J.Murdoch
EMG: D.Lang, Z.Guthrie, J.Thurlow
IN: T.Hawkins, M.Blicavs, B.Parfitt
OUT: J.Thurlow, Z.Guthrie, S.Simpson
GIANTS 
B: A.Tomlinson, N.Hayes, N.Wilson
HB: Z.Williams, P.Davis, L.Whitfield
C: J.Kelly, D.Shiel, H.Shaw
HF: C.Ward, J.Patton, T.Greene
F: R.Lobb, J.Cameron, S.Johnson
FOL: S.Mumford, S.Coniglio, B.Deledio
I/C: A.Corr, D.Smith, J.Hopper, T.Scully
EMG: T.Taranto, M.de Boer, H.Himmelberg
IN: S.Johnson, R.Lobb
OUT: M.de Boer, H.Himmelberg
AFL News:
Essendon are cautiously optimistic that livewire forward Orazio Fantasia will be available if they reach the AFL finals.
The Bombers have had mixed news this week on injuries.
Josh Green’s season is over because of a fractured bone in his foot.
Michael Hurley has reported making good progress as he recovers from a calf muscle strain, but the key defender is unsure about his availability for Sunday’s must-win game against Fremantle.
But it looks better than expected for Fantasia.
He suffered a serious hamstring strain early in the round-20 loss to Carlton.
There had been reports that Fantasia would only play again this season if the Bombers progressed deep into the finals.
Fantasia is back running and the pre-finals bye gives him more time to step up his training.
“He won’t do any high speed running until he is ready, which is probably not going to be this week,” said Essendon fitness boss Justin Crow.
“If we make the finals, Orazio will be a chance to play the first final depending on how well he progresses over the next couple of weeks.”
Fantasia has impressed in his fourth AFL season, kicking 38 goals in 19 games.
Only Joe Daniher, second in the Coleman Medal with 60 goals, and fellow key forward Cale Hooker (41) have kicked more goals for the Bombers this season.
Essendon control their finals destiny heading into the last round of home and away matches.
They are eighth, ahead of West Coast, St Kilda and reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs on percentage.
The Bombers will start strong favourites at Etihad Stadium against the Dockers, who have lost their last two matches by 104 points.
Fremantle have not played Essendon in Melbourne since 2010, when they won by 34 points at Etihad Stadium.
The Dockers have beaten Essendon in their last four games, all at Subiaco.
