In the lead up to the GIANTS' clash with Geelong at StarTrack Oval in Canberra, we’ve examined some of the key statistical components that could influence the match.

Leading From The Front - GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward has a good record playing against Geelong. He has been in the club’s top two disposal getters in each of the past three encounters with the Cats, averaging 28 touches. The courageous midfielder is also in good form of late - last week he accumulated 30 touches, eight marks, five tackles and kicked two goals against Gold Coast.  

Premiership Quarter Kings - The third quarter of matches is when the GIANTS play their best football, ranked fourth in the league for scoring during the Premiership quarter. Geelong, however, are ranked 12th for their third term efforts, getting the better of their opponents only five times this season. The Cats are strongest in the first term of matches, ranked second in first-quarter scoring, while the GIANTS are ranked 13th. A good start could be crucial to this match.

Disposal Difference - The GIANTS are starting to get their hands on the ball more than their opponents, averaging 373 touches per match which ranks them sixth in the league for disposals. Doing most of the damage is Adam Treloar who is leading the club with 407 touches this season, ahead of Callan Ward (387), Dylan Shiel (366) and Toby Greene (346).

Even Efficiency - Both clubs are good users of the football when it comes to disposal efficiency, with the GIANTS narrowly ahead at 74.2 per cent which places them third in the AFL. Geelong aren’t far behind on 73.5 per cent efficiency which places them fifth in the competition. There is, however, a big difference in goal accuracy with the Cats leading the way in the AFL on 53.8 per cent while the GIANTS are ranked last with 46.1 per cent.

StarTrack Surprise - The GIANTS are undefeated this season at StarTrack Oval in Canberra after knocking off both Melbourne and the Gold Coast in round two and four respectively. Geelong haven’t played at the ground in nearly a decade. Their last encounter at StarTrack Oval was against North Melbourne in round 17, 2006 and they lost that match by 30 points. The GIANTS are also on track for their first ever sell-out which could further add to the home-ground advantage.

Last Time They Met - It was a close encounter in round 18, 2014 when the GIANTS and Geelong last played. The GIANTS stormed home to nearly pinch the win but the Cats held on to win by seven points at Spotless Stadium. At one stage Geelong led by 36 points in the final quarter before a flurry of GIANTS goals. Steve Johnson was given the three Brownlow votes.