FREMANTLE will be out to put the pressure right on Geelong at Skilled Stadium as it looks to begin the post Peter Bell era with an upset win.

Assistant coach Chris Scott isn’t sure how the retirement of Bell will impact the playing group for Saturday's game, but Fremantle knows what it needs to do to try to beat the defending premier and time will tell if the plans come off.

Ryan Crowley will have the task of stopping Gary Ablett again after doing a tremendous job on Anzac Day when Geelong scraped home by a point at Subiaco Oval, but Scott has highlighted the Cats' defence as the biggest threat.

"It's well known that Geelong's back half is very offensive, which you can afford to be when your midfield is so dominant and the ball's going your way most of the time," Scott said before the team flew out of Perth on Thursday.

"But we have to keep them accountable and pressure them when they do get the ball.

"The best starting point is to compete with them in the contested ball and get off to a good start.

"When we played them last time it was a close game and only a couple of 15-minute periods cost us. The key for us is to match them in the contested ball and get the ball going our way to play the game on our terms."

Scott believes Bell's retirement can only help the development of the young players in the squad and give everyone a chance to prove their worth before the end of the season.

Andrew Browne is to take over Bell's spot after just 22 games over seven years due to constant hamstring problems.

"We were always looking to play some younger players towards the end of the season anyway, so it fast tracks that and gives another guy an opportunity," Scott said.

"Who knows what effect it will have, but if you look at the facts you take out a lot of experience and playing ability, but we replace it with youth, energy and freshness.

"The young guys have to bring that enthusiasm to the game and translate it into on field performance.

"Andrew is held in really high regard and it's a credit to him the way he has persevered through chronic injuries the last few years.

"His work rate and attention to detail is first class, so it's really good to see him get an opportunity. We know he's going to give 100 per cent and he can now prove himself over the last seven games."