Geelong coach Chris Scott insists he isn’t motivated by their poor recent history against Fremantle as they jostle for top-four positions on Saturday night at Simonds Stadium.
The Dockers have won four of their past five clashes, most notably upsetting Geelong at home in last year’s AFL qualifying final.
Scott said maintaining momentum and their ladder position was the focus rather than who their opponents were.
He said the old school approach that they ‘owed the Dockers’ was unprofessional.
“Not for me,” Scott said when asked about vengeance.
“I shouldn’t speak for all the players – maybe some of them feel that way. Maybe they’ll get a little bit of extra satisfaction if they can get the result.
“Maybe it’ll hurt a little bit more if they don’t get the result.”
Scott felt his team was very different to the side that was rolled by 32 points by the Dockers in round nine, which was one of only four Cats’ losses for the season.
“We’ve made some steps forward in the way we move the ball and the way we defend opposition teams.
“We’re playing better footy than we were even three weeks ago,” Scott said.
He felt their 32-point win over North Melbourne last round was close to their most-complete performance of the year, however he could see there was still more improvement to come.
“We haven’t played our best footy this year – we think that’s still ahead of us.
“But we’ve got ourselves in a position where we’re in the top four and we’ve been pretty well performed.”
Hamish McIntosh missed that match after hurting his ankle at training but would be available although Scott wouldn’t reveal whether the ruckman or Dawson Simpson would get the nod to counter Aaron Sandilands.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Duffy, Walters and Ballantyne playing together will terrorise defences. Duffy is the tallest of the three, almost medium size, but also shows a fair degree of pace. All three play a similar relentless style of footy, which really should put defences under enormous pressure. All three in the same team will be an ideal fit for the Freo game plan I'd say and short of the big guys of the younger brigade being ready, offers a great plan B. In fact that extra swarm factor may allow a great foil and possibly more potency to Sandi and Clarke stationing forward.
Don Freo
Guest
While I'm glad to see Duffy and Crozier get chances, I think we are missing an opportunity to get Morabito up to AFL tempo. He is murdering WAFL and that won't help him any more. He was off pace in his first full game and he needs more. I'd play him in the starting 21 and let him go as long as he can before subbing him off. Mora can kick 2 in any given quarter and set up 2 or 3 more. He is a finals X factor and needs to be fed into the system.
Balthazar
Guest
Someone elsewhere compared him to Le Cras and I think that might be a reasonable comparison (but a bit less of a midfielder). Ballas has been isolated one on one close to goal for a lot of the year. Walters - a bit like Hill - has a licence to go wherever he likes so basically plays as the crumber but pops up in defence, and with a stint in the midfield. It would leave Duffy playing the role Mayne has vacated and maybe venturing up onto a wing. What puzzles me then is where Mayne plays. Ross said last week he thinks he should play deeper forward but I don't know how that fits in with all of the above. I think if Walters is back next week then things might change a bit
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
I saw Duffy play 3 weeks ago against Claremont. He had ok numbers for the amount of game time. He popped up for good goal. He is an impressive type but perhaps a Freo person could tell me how Ballas, Walters and Duffy all work together.
Balthazar
Guest
Not a lot (don't live in Perth so rely on the odd WAFL rerun on iview or occasionally listening to radio broadcasts). But then again nobody's sen him much as he's been injured for most of the time he's been on the list. I have a vivid recollection of his horrible shoulder injury. Faulty memory aside, he was in the middle of 3 going for a mark and landed, with both his weight and that of the defender behind him, on his shoulder. It was pretty brutal. what I have seen has led me to think he's quick, fearless (hence bad injury) but somehwat inclined to take the low percentage shot rather than find a team mate in space (perhaps that's where he's like Johnson). I think Ross likes him- he said before last week's WAFL game that he was pushing for selection and I think it's a good gamble. We need to kick more goals and a running high forward - he's more that than a forward pocket really - with good goal sense would be invaluable. No idea how he will adapt to this level though
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
How much have you seen of Duffy Balthazar?
Don Freo
Guest
Its the unpredictable movement and eccentric choices in Duffy"s game that I like and reminds me of Stevie J. He'll be Magic Max in no time but he will polarize fans in the way Clive Waterhouse did. Hopefully, the team discipline will teach him how to stay in games longer.
Don Freo
Guest
Suban should take either Motlop or Duncan. He not only makes life very difficult, he hurts the other way. Nick is a good boy. Problem is, so are Motlop and Duncan.
Balthazar
Guest
Hey Don I see twitter is saying that both Duffy and Jacob Ballard are on the plane to Geelongistan. Ballard would have to be upgraded to play so he's presumably home for a visit. So why do you say Duffy is like Stevie J? I don't know if he has Jonhson's flexibility to play midfield. Granted, he's a fair bit taller than Ballas but he just strikes me as being that fast, selfish, forward pocket who hogs the ball and occasionally does freaky things (and often butchers the ball). Therefore, Ballas circa 2012.
Don Freo
Guest
Duffy reminds me of Stevie J. He is fast wiry, slightly out there and does absolutely magic things in the most unpredictable ways. He's been back from injury for 3 weeks now and about to take off. I wonder how many Eastern Staters have even heard of him.
Don Freo
Guest
Geelong without Selwood and Bartel or Stevie J would be a legitimate excuse. To argue otherwise would be to declare a bankruptcy of knowledge.
Don Freo
Guest
I was going to say that when I read your comment Balthazar. Pavlich is an important cog but not our essential engine...at least not for the past 3 years. We (the regular Dockers posters) have always claimed our midfield and defensive returnees are the most significant. Pav is definitely playing. I want him at CHF, not FF. Pav on Harry would be great to watch..Pav's strength and hands, Harry's reach and anticipation. Both very mobile and skilled at the ground level. Pav kicks better for goal from the 50 than from 15 metres out. Mayne's mobility and smarts, supported by the height of Clarke and Sandi could be too much for Lonergan.
Don Freo
Guest
Ballas plays a different game now. He is a match winner this season not just an essential cog. Geelong might get caught up (Selwood always does against Freo) but Ballas won't. He'll play 'em for a sucker if they do.
haydos
Guest
I like your thinking. I say it would have to be beating Freo at Subi in a final :)
Balthazar
Guest
I thing Gumby's done unfortunately. His body can't take the stress. My guess is you'll see Michael Apeness stand beside Pav. He's been pretty good for a young bloke but really needs another preseason to get fitter.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
I'm keen to see Walters return. They are definitely a better side when he is in. Fast forward to March next year with a fit Walters and a fit Gumbleton. Who do you think goes out?
Balthazar
Guest
In an ideal world yes but some inclusions really are better than others. Certainly Freo doesn't yet have great depth - but it s building it slowly. And personally I don't think Freo fans whinge about injuries more than anyone else - which is what my comment was directed at. Anyways, moot point. Ross now reckons Pav will play. Pity about Walters though but I'd like to see one last chance for a newbie. If I had my way, Max Duffy would play. He reminds me of Ballas. But then maybe 2 Ballas on a football field might just cause some form of disruption to the known universe.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
I'm not one of those people Balt. You win with what you've got if you are good enough. That is what tests your depth
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Classic 8 point game this one. This is one of about 6-8 pivotal games coming into the last 4 rounds that will determine the order of the final 8.
Balthazar
Guest
Oh I'm sorry is it only for the Swans fans to bleat about injuries (why they didn't beat Freo in the finals last year blah blah blah) and the Hawks for this year's bad run with injuries? Commenting on outs can be legitimate as can poor form generally. Well, everywhere other than The Roar that is. I'd be surprised however if Pav is brought up by many. He's one player and they have regained quite a few very recently - I think I pointed that out to you in your last Freo-related post. Freo played without him and Sandi for half of last year, if they're good enough it won't matter. I don't however discount that the Cats are a very good team and will be more than a bit keen to rebalance the ledger between the teams