Stopping power one of revamped Cats’ keys to defeating Dockers
GEELONG coach Paul Hood says stopping Fremantle’s ball movement in transition will be the key to the Cats’ hopes in Western Australia tomorrow.
The Cats were belted by 36 points when they most recently played the Dockers, in Round 6 last year.
Hood has analysed vision from a practice match the Dockers played against reigning premiers Adelaide late last month and was impressed by their attack.
“Fremantle are a really impressive side when they get the ball on their terms,” Hood said.
“They managed to score a little bit against Adelaide and they moved the ball quickly, so it’s our job to make it hard for them to do that.
“Things have changed a lot (since last year).
“They’ve got some new players in, we saw the way they moved the ball and we got a good look at what Fremantle would like to do.
“We’ve worked really hard on restricting that, but we really are focusing on the power within our squad at the moment and the depth we’ve got and making it difficult for Fremantle.”
After finishing last in the competition for points scored last season, a revamped attack was a pressing improvement for Geelong heading into 2020.
Midfielder Renee Garing moved forward and slotted three goals in a practice match against Western Bulldogs two weekends ago and Hood said he was pleased by how the forward line performed.
Debutante Madisen Maguire is likely to add to that mix as a quick small forward capable of applying forward pressure.
“Our results in the practice match were really good in kicking the seven goals,” Hood said.
“We’ve just got to make sure our defence behind that is balanced and protected if we turn the ball over as well.
“Madisen’s had a pretty long journey to become part of the AFLW squad, but she’s a real competitor, she’s very, very quick, very strong and powerful.
“On top of that, she started kicking some goals late in the VFLW season and gives us a real threat in the front half.”