Sitting on mat cool for Cats
Geelong coach Chris Scott is confident the Cats have uncovered the secret to playing well after a bye as they prepare for Saturday night's clash against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
Many clubs have struggled after the week off in recent seasons. The Cats have won just four of six matches after a bye in the past five years.
But with Fremantle having played against Port Adelaide last week while the Cats were looking on, Scott said he would rather have a fully-rested squad.
"It means we'll be a little bit fresher," Scott said.
"We've been able to dictate our program without too much consideration for how the guys have come off a game.
"We haven't had to modify anything because of that.
"I think, with more byes than previous years, clubs are still working their way through what the best program is for them. We feel like we've got a pretty good program in place.
"We're confident of that."
The Cats will regain defender Andrew Mackie but Mathew Stokes is suspended.
Scott said Mackie's inclusion was crucial.
"He's an important player for us. He's an All-Australian defender, a member of our leadership group and an important part of the way we play," Scott said.
"If you take out a player of that calibre, there tends to be a little bit of a domino effect.
"A lot of coaches tend to roll out the cliché that one goes down and we just put in another one.
"I don't really subscribe to that theory. Your really good players are hard to replace."
Fremantle have taken an edge against the Cats recently, winning three of the past four games.
The rivalry has boiled over and seen players get reported. But Scott said he expected both teams to be disciplined this week.
"It's naive to think you won't lapse. But generally the team that is the most disciplined is the one that prevails," he said.
"Discipline takes many forms but not giving away silly free kicks is one part of that."
"It means we'll be a little bit fresher …. We feel like we've got a pretty good program in place." " Geelong coach *Chris Scott *
