The Fremantle Dockers will be on the receiving end of a Cats’ bad mood when they head interstate this weekend…

The Fremantle Dockers come into this game fresh off a bye, while the Geelong Cats will still be licking their wounds after an unexpected loss to the Eagles last weekend. The Dockers could be facing a painful 4-game losing streak after this clash, while Geelong will be looking to bounce back in front of their home crowd.

Some good news for the Dockers is that it looks like pocket-rocket and super-pest Hayden Ballantyne has been cleared to play this week! He hasn’t played for Freo in 2017 yet due to a hamstring injury, so will be itching to get out there and stir up his opposition. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Ballas brings a fiery energy to the game, just what the Dockers need at the moment. Big man Aaron Sandilands still has a question mark hovering over his head, we will know after Friday’s training if he will fly over with the team. Ed Langdon is also a possibility to return, after dealing with a knee injury.

Geelong will welcome back their power forward Tom Hawkins, after serving his one-game suspension last week for a high jumper-punch. Mark Blicavs will also be available for selection for the Cats after missing last week with soreness. Not only did they lose the game last weekend, Geelong also lost Scott Selwood and Nakia Cockatoo with hamstring injuries. Taking those injuries into account, I still think Geelong are going to come out firing in this game, Dangerwood (Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood) are likely to wreak havoc in the midfield and I think Hawkins will be looking to have a big game in front of goal.

Before the bye, the Fremantle Dockers suffered an uncomfortable 57-point defeat at the hands of the Brisbane Lions, which could be haunting them a little bit. Despite their current losing streak, I have still been impressed with some of Freo’s young guns such as Connor Blakely and Lachie Weller who still appear to be improving with each game they play. Skipper Nat Fyfe has been a bit off his game lately. I expect him to get back into his groove, though he may not get a chance this weekend if he gets matched up with Dangerfield. As always, it will be an interesting battle to watch between the two Brownlow Medallists.

Unfortunately, I think it is going to be a rough day out for the Fremantle Dockers on Sunday. I am tipping the Geelong Cats to beat the Fremantle Dockers by 30 points. (As long as Freo don’t lose by 100+ points, I’ll be happy!)

Let us know your #AFLCatsFreo predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaPayne