Geelong will fight to stay in the top four this Sunday after breaking through with a lucky escape against Richmond.
The Cats salvaged a win against the Tigers on Sunday with a blistering last quarter after an abysmally inaccurate performance up until the last break.
They will want to avoid a similar scare against Brisbane which, despite sitting second last on the ladder, upset Carlton last weekend.
A win would see the Cats at least keep their place on the ladder, with the Bulldogs, Giants and the Eagles all battling for a top four spot.
A big win would be even better for the cats who need a percentage boost to secure a home final.
Big forward Tom Hawkins will look to add to the scoreboard and improve his form ahead of the finals.
Hawkins has kicked 44 goals this year but hasn’t dominated many games.
However his record against the Lions will bolster the Cats’ hopes for Sunday’s clash at the Gabba.
Hawkins averages more goals (3.1) and has kicked more (37) against Brisbane than any other team.
He booted a career-high seven goals in a win over the Lions in 2014 and slotted six at the Gabba in 2012.
At Simonds Stadium on Monday Hawkins admitted his form hasn’t been great.
“I’m probably not having he influence I’d like but I’m certainly trying to stay involved in the game,” he said.
Cats coach Chris Scott continued to back the key forward on Fox Footy on Monday night.
“We’d like Tom to be playing better but we’re really confident he’s got that footy in him,” Scott said.
Scott said Hawkins hadn’t got “to enough contests in good positions” and had been lacking the “movement to create space” before other players kicked to him.
“As a coaching group we don’t think we’re kicking it to him enough either,” he added.
