Swans Media explores all things Geelong ahead of the Sydney Swans’ clash with the Cats at the SCG on Sunday afternoon.

Recent form

The Cats are placed first on the ladder with 13 wins and four losses registered.

They fell to a 24-point defeat to arch-rival Hawthorn at the MCG last Sunday, but they had cruised to a 27-point victory over St Kilda the week prior.

Ins and outs

Battle-hardened midfielder Scott Selwood will return for his first AFL match of the season, while ruckman Zac Smith and defender Jack Henry have also been named to make comebacks.

Selwood, who's played 167 AFL games with West Coast and Geeong, has fought hard for his return to top-flight footy, having played 11 VFL matches this season.

Zach Tuohy, former Swan Gary Rohan and Rhys Stanley are the Cats’ outs for the round. 

Key match-up

Keep an eye on the battle between veteran Sydney on-baller Josh Kennedy and fearless Geelong counterpart Joel Selwood.

With names like Sydney’s Luke Parker, George Hewett and Isaac Heeney, and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, Tim Kelly and Mitch Duncan, the Swans and Cats are both blessed with star midfield talent.

But Kennedy and Selwood are the spiritual leaders of their respective sides at the coalface of the contest.

Kennedy is a premiership Swan, has played 241 games and is a triple All Australian, while Selwood is a three-time premiership Cat, has piled up 287 matches and is a four-time All Australian.

Last time they met

A young Swans outfit rallied hard but the Cats would grab a 22-point win at GMHBA Stadium when the clubs last met in Round 11.

Dangerfield inspired the win with 29 disposals and two goals, Kelly gathered 25 touches and a goal, Tom Hawkins snared four majors and Mark Blicavs was pivotal in defence.

What they said

Geelong coach Chris Scott: “Sydney’s brand has been built around contest and stoppage work, and that was one of our best stoppage games of the year when we played them in Round 11. We had big scores from stoppage numbers.”