LIMITING Carlton’s ability to get a run-on in front of goal will be a key to Geelong beating the Blues on Saturday according to coach Paul Hood.
The Cats have seen matches against the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide in the past fortnight disappear when their opponents were able to score multiple goals in-a-row.
“Unfortunately in our last two performances, there’s been some 10-minute bursts where the opposition have kicked three or four goals, and that’s really hard to come back from,” Hood said.
“So, we’ve got to make sure we cut those out and if we do have a flat patch its one goal (conceded), maybe two, not three- or four-in-a-row.
“For the rest of the games, we’ve been really competitive and played some good footy ourselves.
“We need to try and make our good patches last a bit longer and the ones that aren’t so good a bit shorter.”
Hood is confident the Cats’ ability to lock down on their opponents will come with experience.
“To know, in the moment, what you’ve done before that works and what are the really important cornerstones of your game as an individual that you get back to,” he said.
“And as a team, when to know that “this is just a moment to lock down. We don’t need to be too aggressive. Let’s just get everything right. Weather the storm and take off again when it’s our chance soon”.
Geelong’s meeting with the Blues comes just over a month after the two clubs clashed in practice match at Ikon Park.
Hood said the Cats took plenty away from that two-point win.
“It was really open. It was seven goals each, and it was very up-and-back; very fast,” Hood recalled.
“We’d like to play fast again ourselves and slow the Blues down if we can.
“Both teams try to play in the same manner. It was an exciting game and hopefully we see another exciting one on the weekend
Twitter: @tom_king79
