Geelong will look to beat minor premiers Sydney for the first time this season – when it matters the most – in Friday’s preliminary final.
Cats coach Chris Scott said on Tuesday the team was significantly different to the one that lost to Sydney by 38 points in round 16.
“We certainly need to lift from last time but to be frank we have.”
Following the bye, the Cats will be fresher than the Swans, who were bruised and battered in their ferocious 36-point win over Adelaide on Saturday.
But the Cats’ midfield will have to be on their game against the relentless tackling pressure of the top defensive side in the AFL.
Star forward Buddy Franklin will be a huge threat for the Swans, after a skillful four-goal performance against Adelaide last week.
“Tom Lonergan has traditionally taken him,” Scott said.
“But having different players that can help out in that area … that will definitely be an asset.”
Small forwards Tom Papley and Ben McGlynn will also be dangerous and will look to step Geelong’s run out of the backline.
Scott, who had a depth of talent to choose from this week, described the selection process for the finals as brutal.
“It’s good for the footy club and good for the team that we’ve got lots of options,” he said.
“But we’ll have disappointed players and unlucky players.”
Cats tall utility Mark Blicavs said on Wednesday that the playing group was mentally prepared for the clash despite the break.
“We’ve gotten into this prelim because of what we’ve done all this year.”
Although the Cats would “need to look after the ball better” to best the Swans’ midfield, he said.
The Cats’ courage however is hardly in question, if Lachie Henderson’s unusual aquatic encounter last week is anything to go by.
The tall defender was surfing with former Carlton team-mate Jarrad Waite at Bells Beach when a shark knocked a nearby surfer from his board.
Several Cats players catch a wave along the Surf Coast during the season and Scott admitted he would probably have a rebellion if he tried to stop them.
“We’ve got a lot of surfers and it’s an important part of their preparation,“ Scott said wryly.
“I was interested to hear that they stayed out there – I knew they were brave but I didn’t realise they were that brave.“
