Geelong last night vowed to deliver a far more polished brand of football when it embarks on toppling league heavyweight Williamstown at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
Coach Leigh Tudor said the Cats had worked hard this week on eradicating the sloppy football that ultimately brought their downfall against Tasmania in Hobart last weekend.
With the Seagulls perched in second position on the ladder, Tudor said the Cats would relish the opportunity to flex their muscle against the undefeated premiership favourite.
“They’re pretty keen, we’ve really worked on our ball use at training this week and they’re pretty keen to have a crack at Williamstown,” Tudor said.
“We generally have a good battle against Williamstown, training was good this week and we’re really keen to get into it again.
“The boys were disappointed with the result last week, our ball use was as poor as it’s been in a long time, so that’s … something we’ve really worked on at training this week.”
Williamstown, boasting one of the strongest lists in the VFL, has emerged as the early yardstick of the competition after three standout victories to open the season.
Tudor said the match loomed as a strong indication of where the young Cats were at, with the Seagulls’ stocks lined with an abundance of former AFL players, including Jason Cloke and Callum Urch.
“They are (one of the best teams in the VFL) and they’ve probably got one of the best VFL lists going around,” he said.
“Obviously with their new alignment (with the Western Bulldogs) they will be pretty keen to start the season well and play some good footy.
“We’ve always had some good battles with Williamstown, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Tudor confirmed former Essendon rookie Matthew Firman would return this week after finally overcoming a series of niggling injuries.
Firman, a silky midfielder who adds hardness around the contests, will prove invaluable as the Cats set out to signal their intentions early this week.
“He was really close to playing last week and to be honest it would have been really good for us to have him with his ruthless attack on the ball,” Tudor said.
“That attack was something we missed a little bit at times, so it’s good to get him back again against a good slide like Williamstown.”
Tudor praised the sustained form of second-year forward Simon Hogan, who last week heralded a strong indication of his potential with a solid 24-disposal performance against the Devils.
Hogan, a former Geelong Falcon, is slowing gathering some momentum after battling a number of recurring injuries during his first year at the club last year.
“He’s playing good footy, he’s just getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
“He’s had a couple of little issues this year with his body, but he’s starting to show that he understands the way we want him to play and he’s going to be a nice player for us.”
Emerging big men Shane Mumford and Dawson Simpson have also started to form a cohesive tandem and Tudor said that was enabling the two for become more versatile members of the team.
“They’ve been playing quite well together – big, strong lads - and they’re really trying to play the way we want them to play,” he said.
“Mumford’s had a fair bit of time in the ruck and we’ve thrown Dawson forward a little bit as well, which has been good.
“Dawson’s presented and taken a fair few marks from full forward too and we just expect them to keep giving 100 per cent.”
Tudor said bustling first-year halfback flanker Adam Donohue was beginning for forge a positive reputation at the club for his willingness to do the team thing.
The 18-year-old, recruited under the father-son rule last year, will be entrusted to negate one of Williamstown’s most dangerous small forwards.
“Adam’s still very young and he’s continually trying to do the right thing, so he’s played some good footy for us and we’re going to need him to play well again for us this week,” he said.
“There’s some really good small forwards down at Williamstown and if he can hold one of those back it will be a good effort.”
The action gets underway at 10.40am.
