Steven Motlop says the Cats want to show better intent against the Tigers Ryan Reynolds
Geelong Advertiser
May 03, 2014A FIRED-up Geelong has vowed to raise the physicality stakes against Richmond at the MCG tomorrow.
Seething from its 40-point loss to Port Adelaide last Sunday, returning star Steven Motlop said the Cats had been “really physical” in training leading up to the crucial game against the struggling Tigers.
“Just our intent. Just on the training track we have been really physical,” Motlop said.
“We just want to be right up in their face and put pressure on the game.
“We have had a great start to the year and a part from the loss on the weekend everything is going really well. We will be looking to bounce back this week.”
Motlop was last night named for his first senior match of 2014 after knee surgery in London saw him miss start of the season.
Dawson Simpson, who rolled his ankle at training last week, has also been brought into the team.
Jackson Thurlow (back) and Josh Walker (omitted) will both miss.
The Tigers have recalled Aaron Edwards, Alex Rance, Ty Vickery and Brett Deledio for the must win match with Dylan Grimes, Ricky Petterd, Matthew Arnot, Ben Griffiths (all omitted) making way.
Richmond has won just two of its opening six matches this season and a loss against the Cats could see them need to win 10 of its 13 to make finals.
Motlop said Geelong needed to shut down the space available to Richmond’s slick ball users.
“They are a very good side. They have got some really good ball users and, you know, they are a bit like Port, they have these great users and if you let them get on top and use the ball early they are going to hurt you,” he said.
“So we will be looking to nullify a few of their players.”
Port Adelaide made Geelong pay for missing key chances in front of goal early in their clash and Motlop said the playing group had learned a lot from the match.
“We let port play a pretty free flowing game and let them use the ball really easily,” he said. “Something we really pride ourselves on is our defence ... We don’t want to let them score as easily (as Port Adelaide did).”
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