Geelong will play Carlton for the 221st time when the two sides meet at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cats have a strong recent record against the Blues and will be fresh off an eight-day break since their triumph against the Hawks.

A win could move the Cats inside the top eight for the first time this year.

Ahead of the game we take a look at some of the key matchups that could help determine who comes out on top on Saturday night.

Rhys Stanley v Marc Pittonet

Stanley produced one of his best performances in recent memory in Geelong’s Round 2 win against the Hawks.

He was instrumental from the outset providing his onballers with first use, while gathering six clearances of his own and pushing forward to kick two goals.

Stanley is hoping to build on that performance with another consistent showing this week.

“One performance isn’t going to cut it, so I need to try and make that a bit of a standard and try and back up each week,” Stanley said at Friday morning’s press conference.

After facing off against the athletic Jonathan Ceglar, this week he faces a different challenge against 202cm Carlton ruck Marc Pittonet.

“He is a big strong body and covers the ground pretty well and follows up pretty well, so it will be a good challenge for me.”

It was in the contested side of the game that Stanley performed particularly strong last week and that will be a focus area for him again.

“Helping the midfield do their thing, assisting them in ground balls and following up after my contests. Ruck contests are just a little part of it for me and obviously covering the ground trying to test my ruckman at both ends of the ground.”

Mark O’Connor v Jack Martin

Carlton livewire Jack Martin has started the year well since joining from the Suns.

He leads the Blues’ goal and tackle counts this year and is an x-factor that the Cats defensive group will look to shut down.

One of Geelong’s biggest improvers, Irishman Mark O’Connor might be given first crack, while Jed Bews and Zach Tuohy will be others, he will no doubt face on the night.

Martin doesn’t need much of the ball to have an influence on the game and his output could go a long way to determine who comes out on top.

Battle of the Clearance Kings

Patrick Cripps and Marc Murphy’s importance to Carlton’s midfield is unparalleled.

Between them they are averaging 51 disposals per game and have combined for 25 of Carlton’s 62 clearances this season.

Restricting the influence of one or both players will go a long way towards helping the Cats win the midfield battle on Saturday.

Geelong will enter the match with confidence after winning the clearance count against the Hawks.

Skipper Joel Selwood has led the Cats in this area with 13 for the season. He has been well supported by Patrick Dangerfield (11) and Brandan Parfitt (8).

It will be fascinating to see what approach the opposing coaches make, will Cripps or Dangerfield get tagged or will we see both teams back themselves in a head-to-head old-fashioned battle.

Tom Stewart v Mitch McGovern

Stewart is yet to lose to Carlton in his 70-game AFL career to date.

He averages more disposals per game (26.3) against the Blues than either other team in the competition.

Although he is unlikely to play a hard tag on McGovern, the two are likely to cross paths on the night.

Stewart has started the year well, providing plenty of creativity off half back and leading the way in intercept marks.

McGovern can be a barometer for the Blues, but Stewart will back himself in and will be looking to produce another big performance.