A midfield streaked with Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood is enough to make any side quake in its boots, but Sydney coach John Longmire warns Geelong’s threat extends beyond the star trio.

Longmire says the Cats will challenge the Swans right across the ground when the two sides meet in a giant duel at the SCG on Thursday night.

“They’ve got absolute superstars running around their midfield,” Longmire said.

“Any midfield that has Dangerfield, Ablett and Selwood is elite, but they’ve got Hawkins up front and some of the younger players they’ve introduced are fantastic.

“Their midfielders can be very efficient when they get the ball. Those players can win the ball and when they do they can be very damaging and get the ball in the front half. So they can be an absolute threat.

“But one of their strengths this year has been their defence. Their defence has been super all year, they’ve got a really tough team and we expect a really tough challenge.”

One of either Heath Grundy or Dane Rampe will be tasked with shutting down powerful Cats forward Tom Hawkins, who has kicked 28 goals across 12 games this season.

The 466-goal juggernaut has long caused headaches for the best opposition backmen with his bustling lead, strength overhead and sharp shooting for goal.

Exciting midfielder Quinton Narkle is the latest young Cat to have lit up the AFL stage, collecting 14 disposals, two classy goals, six tackles and five inside 50s in his side’s thrilling match with the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Swans young guns Ben Ronke, Will Hayward and Oliver Florent have all starred themselves this year and their stoush with Narkle is sure to excite a packed SCG.

Geelong’s miserly defence was on show at the Cattery in Round 6, keeping the Swans to just 40 points by three-quarter time before Josh Kennedy exploded to lead Sydney to victory in the final term.

The Cats (904) have conceded the fewest points in the competition this season and promise to make for a thrilling clash with the Swans’ dynamic forward set-up.

Longmire said the Swans are preparing for a huge test. 

“We know those games against Geelong are ripping games of footy most of the time and we expect this week to be no different,” Longmire said.

“Both teams are in the same boat in regards to bouncing back and we are going to be doing everything in our power to do that.”

Sydney fell to Richmond at Etihad Stadium last Thursday night, while the Western Bulldogs edged Geelong at the Docklands venue on Sunday.